Friedman eulogizes terror victim as US 'patriot'
After Ari Fuld—an American who immigrated to Israel—was stabbed to death by a 16-year-old terrorist in Gush Etzion, US Ambassador to Israel lauds him as 'a passionate defender of Israel.'
The US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman eulogized Ari Fuld, who was stabbed to death Sunday at the entrance to a local shopping center in Gush Etzion by 16-year-old terrorist Khalil Jabarin from the Palestinian village of Yatta, as an "American patriot."
"America grieves as one of its citizens was brutally murdered by a Palestinian terrorist. Ari Fuld was a passionate defender of Israel and an American patriot. He represented the best of both countries and will be deeply missed. May his family be comforted and his memory be blessed," Friedman tweeted.
President Reuven Rivlin also offered words of condolence, saying, "Unfortunately, despite the outstanding work done by the security forces to thwart terror attacks, the terrorist succeeded in carrying out the despicable attack.
"We don't have the Iron Dome system to fight terror. Our battle against terror is long and tedious. However, the state of Israel will not be deterred by it," he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed his condolences to Fuld's family.
"In the name of every citizen of Israel, I send my condolences to the family of Ari Fuld, who was murdered today in a terrorist attack in Gush Etzion. With his last strength, Ari fought heroically against the terrorist and prevented a greater tragedy. Ari was a wonderful father to four children. He was an advocate for Israel who fought to spread the truth about Israel. May his memory be a blessing," the prime minister said.
US special Mideast advisor Jason Greenblatt also tweeted his thoughts on Fuld's murder.
"Words cannot express our feeling of loss as an American-Israeli, Ari Fuld, was stabbed to death by a Palestinian terrorist. In Ari's last breaths, he heroically immobilized the terrorist, saving many other lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ari's family & his loved ones," Greenblatt wrote.
According to the IDF, the terrorist's mother arrived at the Metar checkpoint in southern Mount Hebron near Yatta and warned that her son intends to carry out a terror attack. She did not give any other information.
The terrorist had no prior criminal record.
Many terrorists have hailed from Yatta in the past. It was the hometown of two terrorists who shot dead four people in a terror attack at the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv two years ago.
The shopping center where the attack took place has recently decided to close its parking lot to Palestinian vehicles due to a large number of terror attacks that occurred there in the recent past.
In addition, Israeli troops were stationed at every traffic junction near the mall.
Fuld, a father of four from the settlement of Efrat, gave chase after being stabbed and attempted to shoot at his attacker. However, Jabarin was eventually shot and neutralized by a passerby.
Fuld was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.
The Gush Etzion Regional Council said its professional teams are accompanying Fuld's family.
Hilel Fuld, Ari's brother, expressed his sorrow, stating, "My brother lived his life as a hero and died as a hero. He was a hero until his last moment."
Fuld will be laid to rest at 11pm at the cemetery in the settlement of Kfar Etzion on Sunday.
In addition, several eyewitnesses are seen drawing their guns at the assailant and neutralizing him.
Apart from his personal Facebook page, Fuld had a public page called "Ari Fuld Israel Defense Page," on which he published a post about the Palestinian teen provocateur Ahed Tamimi and wrote that it is time to reveal the lies, the half truths and the anti-Israeli rhetoric.
