President Reuven Rivlin on Monday 5 Tammuz made a shiva visit to the family of Danny Gonen HY”D, the 25-year-old yeshiva talmid who was murdered in a terror attack on erev Shabbos in Shomron, near Yishuv Dolev.

The president warmly embraced the members of the family and expressed his deep sorrow for their loss. Danny’s mother, Devorah, told the president of Danny’s love for the land of Israel, and how he would go walking and hiking at every opportunity. She said, “Danny was a kind man, with a good heart. Our loss is unbearably heavy.”

Danny’s sister, Rotem, told the president that Danny, as the eldest, was a father figure to his younger siblings after their father had passed away.

The president listened closely and said, “I am sure that the security forces will find the murderer, and will bring them to justice.”

Netanel Hadad, who was hiking with Danny and was wounded in the attack, told the President about the attack. The president was greatly moved and responded, “You are a special family, strong spirited and with tremendous strength. There is no comfort in the face of such horror, in the face of all you are forced to deal with.”

The president was also moved to hear the stories of those who received the donation of Danny’s organs after his death. He said, “Many will carry in their hearts Danny’s very special spirit, and the donation of his organs is another example of what a kind man he was, even after he was taken from us.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)