(VIDEO & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Members of the chareidi community decided to make a condolence call to the families mourning the police officers from the Druse community who fell in the line of duty during the erev Shabbos terror attack near and on Har Habayis.

They visited the families of First Sgt. Hayil Sethawi in the northern Israeli town of Maghar and, & First Sgt. Kamil Shanan in the nearby town of Hurfeish, who were killed in the terror attack.

We hear the representative explaining “It is the first time I am visiting and it is most unfortunate that it is under such difficult sad circumstances. We are friends and I feel a connection. The Druse community is exemplary in its dedication to the nation and a role model for all minorities and I am honored to be here, sadly for this reason. Anything added would simply be superfluous. I hope I can persuade people to visit you more often, not under these circumstances.

Speaking one-on-one to one of the bereaved fathers:

Many chareidim do not serve in the IDF, but dedicate themselves to the study of Torah. Others like myself are busy volunteering. Many do not understand the connection with the Druse tzibur as I and my colleagues do. I was a guard at the Kosel for two years and there were Druse members guards as I had in the IDF too. The Druse community truly carries the security of the nation on its shoulders. We see where you live on a map, but we do not live it and we do not come to visit and I know the hachnasas orchim is amazing, unfortunately I have to come for a condolence message.

“The way I was welcomed here is amazing. We learn this from our father Avraham who opened his tent without first checking who his guests were. These are three weeks of sadness for us, without music, because next week is Tisha B’Av and next week we refrain from meat and then on the fast day of course, we do not eat. I wish us all more simcha. Am Yisrael doesn’t forget the fallen policemen and the entire chareidi tzibur, including those who are cut off, do not forget the Druse community like the policeman who was first and fell in the line of duty in the Har Nof attack, Zidan Nahad Seif. We love you and wish you happier days!

The bereaved father responds:

“Thank you and your friends that you came from Jerusalem and Bnei Brak, and especially from the outstanding proud chareidi community. It warms me very much, and you know the Druse community lives in the State of Israel and we love the nation and the Jewish People and we are partners, not just in defending it but in day-to-day life and in dignity and would like to maintain this level of cooperation and bring to as many chareidim from all over Israel, to visit our community as possible, to meet the Druse community. Thank you, thank you to you and your friends that came. The chareidi community and the State of Israel – thank you!”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo & Video Credit: Yisrael Bar)