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September 16, 2018 1:22 pm
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Leading US Jewish Groups Mourn Ari Fuld, Victim of Gush Etzion Terror Attack

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avatar by Benjamin Kerstein

Ari Fuld, an American-Israel who was killed in a terror attack in Gush Etzion on September 16, 2018. Photo: Twitter.

Jewish groups from across the political spectrum are expressing mourning for Ari Fuld, 45, who was killed in a terrorist attack on Sunday morning.

A dual Israeli and American citizen and resident of the West Bank settlement of Efrat, Fuld was stabbed in the back at a shopping center in the Gush Etzion bloc near Jerusalem by Khalil Yousef Ali Jabarin, a 17-year-old Palestinian from the town of Yatta near Hebron. Fuld pursued, shot, and subdued his attacker before being overcome by his wounds. He died shortly after at Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem.

Fuld has been hailed as a hero for his feat, as well as for preventing further casualties by neutralizing the terrorist. He is being remembered as a dedicated and passionate pro-Israel activist who engaged in extensive activities to present Israel’s cause to the wider public. He left behind a wife and four children.

Statements marking Fuld’s death were issued by several Jewish groups, with the American Jewish Committee tweeting, “Our hearts go out to the family of American-born Israeli Ari Fuld, who was stabbed to death today by a Palestinian terrorist. May his memory be a blessing.”

Pro-Israel activist group StandWithUs echoed the sentiment, saying, “May his memory be a blessing.”

The World Jewish Congress said, “Ari Fuld was a defender of Israel whose life was cut short in violence as he heroically confronted his attacker, saving the lives of other innocent bystanders,” and demanded an end to Palestinian incitement to terrorism.

Left-wing lobbying group J Street strongly condemned the killing, saying, “We’re horrified by this attack and deeply saddened by the murder of Ari Fuld, an American-Israeli activist and father of four. There can never be any excuse for this kind of violence. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and community.”

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman also weighed in, tweeting, “America grieves as one of its citizens was brutally murdered by a Palestinian terrorist. Ari Fuld was a passionate defender of Israel & an American patriot. He represented the best of both countries & will be deeply missed. May his family be comforted & his memory be blessed.”

His predecessor Dan Shapiro echoed these sentiments and demanded condemnation of the attack from all quarters, saying, “Deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Ari Fuld, murdered in Gush Etzion today. The attack was an outrageous act of terrorism, which should be loudly condemned by all. May Ari’s memory be a blessing and a source of comfort to his family and community.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a brief statement, saying, “In the name of all the citizens of Israel, I extend condolences to the family of Ari Fuld. With his last strength Ari heroically fought the terrorist and prevented a heavier tragedy. He was an extraordinary father to four children, who fought for the truth for the good of Israeli hasbara. May his memory be a blessing.”

The leader of Israel’s Jewish Home party, Naftali Bennett, hailed Fuld as a hero in a Hebrew tweet, writing, “Ari Fuld is a hero of Israel. In dying he saved lives. … The people of Israel salutes the Fuld family and embraces them.”

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