Terror Victim Shares Tragic Story

By Tamar Adelstein, coordinator Crown Heights Women for the Safety and Integrity of Israel

This past Sunday I hosted a gathering for David Hatuel who came abroad from Israel to raise funds for the building of a Beit Knesset and community center in what will soon be his new permanent home in Karmel Katif, following his expulsion from Gush Katif.

Many thanks to the wonderful turnout of people who came to commemorate Gush Katif and show their support for David’s campaign.

In 2004 while plans were being laid to “legitimize” the expulsion, David’s wife Tali and their family of four beautiful young daughters were on their way home when an Arab terrorist fired on their car causing it to swerve and stop.

The terrorist then murdered Tali and the girls, HY”D, at point-blank range.

David and his community, the former Moshav Katif, have voted unanimously to dedicate the new Shul and center in memory of Tali and his daughters. Although the attack drew the ire and grief of the nation, its political hacks and media continued to hatch the details for “Disengagement”.

While “settlers” protested and were joined by many Chabad Chassidim, support from the upper echelons of Jewish power was not forthcoming and, to our greatest shame, few Rebbeim or Rabbonim were willing to heed the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s call to publicly pasken Hilchot Pikuach Nefesh and Shleimus HaAretz.

David was accompanied by his close friend Dror Vanunu who also once lived in Gush Katif. Since the expulsion, Dror has given his time and expertise assisting fellow expellees, advocating for compensation, housing and other efforts to re-establish communities, businesses and services.

While the saga of Gush Katif’s destruction and broken promises remains a painful reality for more than just the people who once lived there thanks to terrorism and war, at the very least, many have been able to move forward onto new homes and income providing ventures.

Dror played a short film for us that conveyed not only the depth of the Hatuel tragedy (and the image of Tali’s mother grieving at the funeral will remain with me forever) but also David’s courage to rise up in the aftermath of profound loss. In my work as a Bach flower practitioner, I was reminded of the flower essence message that emanates from the violet-blue Borage flower. Originally called Corago, its Latin root means heart – where the center of our emotions and feelings lie. In the wake of loss and grief when the heart becomes deeply pressed and heavy, Borage comes to uplift and fill the broken hearted soul with fresh forces of encouragement and optimism.

Like the vivid pointed petals of the Borage plant, David too has “planted” a new family which most touchingly includes Tali’s parents whom his children adore in addition to his and wife Limor’s mother and father.

David also serves as president of the Jerusalem based One Family Fund that provides an array of outstanding services to terror victims and their families; when the unfortunate need arises, r”l, he is on-hand to bring his special words of hope and comfort to other bereaved families of soldiers and terror victims.

Funding for the Beit Knesset and community center will be paid for in part by the Israeli government – as compensation for the destruction of communal properties in Gush Katif. Another part will come from Karmel Katif and, finally, with contributions from friends such as you who are reading this article.

To contribute click here: https://my.fundme.org.il/en/campaign/Shalhevet#tabDescription