R and H

Nineteen years ago, “R” was serving in the famous “Magav” Israel Border Police in Jerusalem. He confronted a suicide terrorist with bomb strapped to his body. He pushed him backwards, but the terrorist had time to ignite the bomb.

While R saved those around him, he was severely injured. He went through 20 surgeries. He survived but has been in a wheelchair since then.

This week a terrorist stabbed a passerby right down the street from our home. People began to shout, “stabbing, terrorist.” Not too far from the event was a group of three young women, nineteen years old, serving as well in the border police.

All three began to run toward the stabbing. They saw the victim struggling with the terrorist. One of the girl soldiers, “H” shouted to the victim, “Push him away from you.” He did so. H and her two friends shot the terrorist.

Yes, that’s right. H is R’s daughter, who was six months old when the first attack happened with her dad. She was asked how this could have happened.

She said it was not by coincidence. She grew up with the values of her dad. Every week, she would hear of love of the holy land, of unselfishness, of overcoming fear, of striving to make contact when terrorists attack. She and her dad hugged and wept as they shared the story.

(She was also asked about the fact that the three soldiers were all “girls.” She said that they do hear sometimes remarks that they ought to go back and stay in the kitchen. But she said as women police, they have a certain advantage, having some feelings that their male counterparts are missing. They certainly proved themselves in this case. And Israeli policewomen have proven themselves in many other incidents, beyond number.)