President Isaac Herzog visited wounded victims of the Bet Shemesh attack
Israel’s President Herzog has met with those wounded in the Iranian missile attack on Bet Shemesh, who are currently undergoing treatment at the Hadassah Medical Centre in Jerusalem.
The President was received by the Director-General of the medical centre, Prof. Yoram Weiss, and the Director-General of Hadassah Women’s Organisation, Gideon Meir who briefed him on the hospital’s emergency operations and its ongoing preparedness to treat the wounded and support their families.
During the visit, the President met Penina Cohen, who was seriously injured and lost her husband, Yosef, and her mother-in-law, Bruria, in yesterday’s deadly attack in Bet Shemesh.
Penina shared the details of the tragic event and her feelings since: “When the alert sounded, we were in the synagogue and immediately ran to the shelter. We were sitting there and suddenly it happened. My young son was beside me and was also injured. I was wounded in the leg and underwent surgery. I was right beneath the hole that was torn open, and I have no explanation for how we were not more seriously hurt, we experienced a great miracle. My children and I survived, but sadly my husband and my mother-in-law, who was sitting next to me, were murdered. Today my son turns 13, and he was meant to celebrate his bar mitzvah. Instead, we are burying my husband and mother-in-law. And despite all the pain, I feel that we were under great protection.”
The President expressed his deepest condolences, offered words of strength, and wished her a full recovery and comfort in this difficult time: “I am deeply sorry for the heavy loss and the unimaginable pain. If there is anything we can do to assist, we are here for you in every way. Once you have recovered, we would be honoured to meet your son and mark his bar mitzvah in a fitting and dignified manner. We, and an entire nation, embrace you and stand with you during this difficult period.”
The President then toured the surgery department and the neonatal intensive care unit, which had been evacuated, and met with the medical teams who continue to work with dedication and professionalism even in these challenging days. He concluded his visit in the pediatric ward, where he distributed gift packages for the Purim holiday to the hospitalised children and spoke with their families.
Concluding his visit, President Herzog said: “When you come to Hadassah, you understand why the people of Israel place their trust in this institution. There truly is someone to rely on. Every time we visit, we are impressed and deeply moved. This is not the first time. We were here during the war, we were here after terror attacks, we were here in times of emergency, we were here for routine visits, we were here during COVID.
He said: “I speak about this place all over the world, all the time. If you want to know what Israel truly is, go to Hadassah.”
GPO
