‘Such an incredible loss to our family’
TERROR victim Dalia Lemkus has been described as “the angel of our family” by one of her two Australian uncles.
Dalia, 26, was on her way home on Monday and waiting at a bus stop in Gush Etzion when an Islamic Jihad terrorist attempted to kill her by running her over with his car.
The terrorist then stopped his car, got out and stabbed her to death.
“We are devastated, in shock and can’t comprehend how this has happened,” Farrel Datt, the brother of Dalia’s mother, Brenda, told The AJN.
“I am absolutely struggling to come to terms with such an incredible loss to our family.
“Dalia put herself through university, only qualified this year as an occupational therapist and was the angel of our family,” Datt said fighting back tears.
“All I can say is thank God for the special times that we all had together.”
Datt and his siblings, including Brenda, grew up in South Africa.
“Even though my sister lives in Israel, we have stayed very close as a family and have all made regular trips to Israel.
“My daughter has just returned from Israel By Choice and she was able to spend time with all of her cousins and was able to see her recently.
“My youngest son is going to Israel in two weeks and it’s going to be very tough when he gets there because Dalia won’t be there.”
He said the world is quick to criticise Israel, but ignores the reality on the ground.
“If this was a crime in America it would have been all over the news and the world would have been horrified, but they are not because it is Israel.”
Dalia’s killer, 30-year-old Maher Hamdi Hashalamun was shot by security guards at the scene and is reportedly being treated in hospital.
“The terrorist is getting the best care in one of the world’s best hospitals – kol hakavod to Israel – but it is unthinkable anywhere else in the world that this would be occurring and a terrorist would be treated with such respect.”
Datt said that he will now do whatever he can to ensure that his niece’s killer stays behind bars.
“When I am in Israel soon, I will meet with senior people of the Gush and the Knesset and let them know what sort of impact this has had on our family because we will do everything possible to make sure that this terrorist is not part of a prisoner exchange or any deal in the future that will see him released.
“That is incomprehensible to us.”
For full coverage, see this week’s AJN.
JOSHUA LEVI
The mother and sister of Dalia Lemkus mourn by Dalia’s body during her funeral.
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