Jerusalem – Thousands Attend Funerals Of Israeli Soldiers Killed In West Bank Shooting Attack

Jerusalem – The two Israeli soldiers killed in Thursday’s terror shooting in the central West Bank were buried on Friday, solemnly and fondly remembered by their families, friends and commanders.

Sgt. Yosef Cohen and Staff Sgt. Yovel Mor Yosef were members of the Kfir Brigade’s Netzah Yehuda infantry battalion, a unit for ultra-Orthodox soldiers.

Family and friends mourned 19-year-old Corporal Yosef Cohen at the funeral that took place in Jerusalem’s Shamgar Funeral Home and then Har Hazeitim on Friday.

he Lone Soldier Center provided a bus for friends and family to pay their respects at Har Hazeitim.

“He has a rare and giving soul,” Cohen’s father said at the funeral to Maariv, The Jerusalem Post’s sister newspaper.

“We are very strong, the people of Israel are very strong, we have undergone holocausts, pogroms and troubles, our history is full of blood, and where are we today? Beyond all disputes we are one people and love will prevail,” Rabbi Eliyahu Meirav, Cohen’s step-father said at the funeral, according to Maariv.

Sargeant Yovel Mor Yosef was buried on Friday at the military cemetery in Ashkelon.

Hundreds of soldiers and civilians arrived to mourn and pay tearful tributes to the fallen sergeant who died at the age of 20.

Speaking to the Post on Thursday night, Rabbi Meirav, described the family’s grief and related Yosef’s comments from last Shabbat.

“We lost the most beloved thing of all, what can I say. We are broken and crushed. But we are also very strong. We are believing Jews,” said Meirav. “Last Shabbat, we sat together and we have a custom of saying what we are thankful for.

Sweet Yossi, righteous, holy Yossi, may he rest in peace, said ‘I thank God for the merit He has given me to defend the Jewish people with my body,’” he continued. “Those were the last words he said here in our house,” he said tearfully. “What a soul he was. That was the essence of the child.”

Source: VosIzNeias