Beit Shemesh Terror Survivor Becomes Police Officer for a Day

Just before sitting down to the Rosh Hashanah table, five-year-old Rei arrived at the Jerusalem District Central Unit (Yamar) headquarters to fulfill a dream. The boy who was critically wounded in the horrific stabbing attack in Beit Shemesh less than a month ago — in which his seven-year-old cousin Hillel Mordechai Dadon was murdered — brought tremendous light to the unit investigating the murder case.

Rei put on a police uniform specially tailored to his small size, rode in the patrol car of the Police Community and Volunteer Division with flashing lights, met and rode the police horse, and spoke with District Commander Superintendent Avshalom Peled. In a moving ceremony that brought even the toughest investigators to tears, he was awarded police ranks by the officer in charge of the investigation.

Chief Inspector Guy Avrahami, deputy commander of the Yamar interrogation division who is overseeing the investigation and accompanying the family, said: "This child went through an unimaginable trauma. To see him today standing on his feet, walking, functioning and smiling — it's moving on levels that are hard to describe. It's a great honor for us to stand here today and salute him."

Rei's mother, Linoy, stood there emotionally and shared that specifically now, Rei's smile in the uniform gives the family breathing room and strength to continue forward.

The horrific incident occurred in early August on Emek HaZeitim Street in Beit Shemesh's old neighborhood. Two children, cousins aged five and seven, were stabbed with a sharp object while playing in a pool in the yard. The seven-year-old, Hillel Mordechai Dadon, died from his wounds, and Rei was critically injured.

The police investigation revealed suspicion that the suspect, 26-year-old Liel Ifargan, arrived at the vicinity of the apartment where the victims were staying several hours before the incident. A brief conversation took place there between him and the homeowner, after which he returned to his home. According to the suspicion, after several hours he returned to the apartment, where he noticed the minors and stabbed them.

About two weeks ago, with the opening of the school year, a new sports field was inaugurated at the Ahavat Yisrael school in Ramah Alef, Beit Shemesh, dedicated to the memory of Hillel Mordechai. The boy was a student at the school and particularly loved playing soccer. The first ball into the goal was kicked by Hillel's brother, Yosef Dadon, who also studies at the school.

Although the investigation continues with the goal of filing an indictment in the coming days against the one who tried to cut short these lives, today they choose to look only at the light and at Rei's victory.

As the new year approaches, all the officers of the Israel Police stand at attention and salute Rei the hero. "You proved to all of us what the power of life is and what true courage is — courage greater than any rank and any uniform," the police stated. "We wish you and the entire family a year of recovery, of quiet and of security. Shana tova u'metuka, Officer Rei! We are always protecting you."