Thousands attend funeral of Druze policeman
Thousands of loved ones, neighbors, politicians and well-wishers from across the country made their way to the village of Yanuh Jat in the Galilee on Wednesday night (Australian time), to bid farewell to Zidan Saif, the Druze policeman who died of a gunshot wound suffered at the scene of the terror attack at a Jerusalem synagogue.
The funeral was attended by President Reuven Rivlin, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, National Police Commissioner Inspector General Yochanan Danino, and leaders from the Druse community of Israel.
“We are burying a hero of the Israel police, who laid down his own body to protect the worshippers at the synagogue in Har Nof,” Aharonovitch said in his eulogy. “Zidan was there first and operated with courage. Without hesitation he charged inside, in the face of the horrors there. He followed the principles of the Israel Police and did what is expected of a courageous warrior.”
The minister added that “his heroism cost him his life, but saved the lives of others. Zidan is a source of pride for his family, for the Druse community and for the police and the people of Israel.”
Spiritual Leader of the Druse Community in Israel Sheikh Moafaq Tarif was also present on Wednesday, and said the Druse “pay a heavy price in the blood of our sons but we will continue to defend our country.”
He also called on the politicians and police as well as well-wishers present to work to calm tensions in Jerusalem, adding, “we cannot allow extremists to overcome reason and tolerance.”
He also referenced the loss just two weeks earlier of Jidan Assad, 38, a Border Police officer from the Druse village of Beit Jaan, who was killed in an attack by a Palestinian at a light rail station in east Jerusalem.
“The Druse people are going through a difficult time, full of sadness and pride. In the past two weeks we’ve lost two of our precious sons who fell defending the country. The entire Druse people bow our heads together with the families of those killed in the terrible massacre yesterday and hope for safer, quieter days.”
Police Chief Danino also eulogized Saif, saying that the officer “ran into the heart of the murderous inferno, without fear, without concern” and that he “endangered himself for the security of the citizens of Israel.”
Danino credited Saif for stopping the rampage and for saving the lives of other potential victims. “The people of Israel owe Zidan a great debt – a great debt to this man and this great officer – to remember his greatness, his character, his heroism and his courage.”
The funeral was also attended by Haredis from Jerusalem and beyond who organized buses to take them to the Galilee village to pay their respects to the officer who risked his life and ultimately died to stop the attack Tuesday.
Saif, 30, left behind a wife and a four-month-old daughter. He enlisted in the police in April 2011 and served as a traffic patrol cop in the Jerusalem District. After his death Tuesday night at Hadassah Medical Center he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant.
By BEN HARTMAN
JERUSALEM POST
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