In the prime of their lives
Victims of Sunday's shooting attack at Gush Etzion junction laid to rest; Matat Rosenfeld-Adler, 21, married her husband Yisrael only two months ago. Her cousin Kineret Mendel, 23, was the first child born to the founders of the Carmel settlement and 14-year old Oz Ben-Meir was an outstanding athlete, and a navigational expert
The funeral of Oz Yisrael Ben-Meir, the third victim, is being held in his home settlement of Maon. He will be laid to rest in the Sousia Cemetery.
Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem said most of the injured from Sunday's attack have shown improvement in their condition. However, one 14-year-old youth in serious-to-moderate condition is still in intensive care.
A year of happiness and sorrow
Matat Rosenfeld-Adler, married her husband, Yisrael, only two months ago. Yisrael is burying his newlywed bride, after she was murdered together with her cousin, Kineret.
Both were residents of the Carmel settlement in south Mount Hebron. Oz Ben-Meir, 14, was murdered in the attack. He was from the settlement of Maon, in south Mount Hebron.
Three months ago, Matat completed her army service as an officer in the Intelligence Corps. A month after her release, she married Yisrael Alder, an officer in the Armored Corps.
"She was planning on studying law, and being a judge, and bringing justice to the nation," a resident of Carmel said.
The settlement's spokesman Ron Tzorel said, "Matat was deeply affected by the expulsion from Gush Katif. She was recently a youth councilor in Judaism in the college of Maaleh Haver. She was an active girl."
Matat left behind her parents – Naftali and Rivka Rosenfeld – residents of Beit Horon, a brother, and three sisters.
Three weeks ahead of the Gaza pullout Matat decided to relinquish the IDF and joined the settlers' anti-pullout campaign.
“She became the infiltrators’ officer,” one of Matat’s relatives described the 21-year-old, referring to infiltrations into Gaza settlements by youths opposed to the pullout who attempted to hamper the evacuation of settlers in August.
Matat was in fact arrested and warned that if she were to be caught in the Gaza settlements again the police would keep a criminal record of her activities. The IDF issued a decree banning civilians from entering Jewish settlements set for evacuation.
Many youths opposed to the pullout infiltrated Gaza ahead of and during the disengagement to obstruct the evacutions.
First child of the Carmel settlement
Kineret's mother, Rivka Mendler, and Matat's father, Naftali Rosenfeld, are brother and sister.
Carmel's spokesman told Ynet that "Kineret was the first child of the settlement of Carmel. The community was established 24 years ago, and she was the first to be born here. She was a girl that no words could describe. She was beautiful inside and outside. She had only the best of the best in her."
Kineret studied at a women's academy in Kiryat Arba, before studying economics in Jerusalem. She recently began teaching work at a Gush Etzion school.
"She was a caring person. She loved the country," Tzorel said. Kineret spent two years in national service in Beit Moriah, Beer Sheeva, where she led tours.
Kineret left behind her parents, Itamar and Rivka, founders of Carmel. She also left behind three brothers.
Only 14-years old
Oz Yisrael Ben-Meir, 14 years-old, lived in Maon from the age of two. He had just begun ninth grade at a Bnei Akiva Yeshiva in Dimona. He left behind his parents, Rami and Nirit, two sisters, and three brothers.
Maon spokeswoman Malchi Zonenfeld said Oz was "a straight and real character. His friends saw him as a loyal friend, and he got along with everyone. He was a son of Torah, with high motivation for studying, an outstanding athlete, and a navigational expert. He was humble, pleasant, and lively."
"This murder is a direct result of the expulsion of Jews from their land as a prize for terrorism. We see the government of Israel as directly responsible for this murder," she said. "We are paying for its tribute to the Palestinians with our blood and with our children's blood. Israel: Don't cover up their blood."
