Rivlin pays condolence call on family of murdered Israeli Danny Gonen

President visits relatives of Israeli who was shot at point blank range by a Palestinian terrorist last Friday.

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
President Rivlin pays condolence visit to family of terror victim Danny Gonen. (photo credit: MARK NEYMAN / GPO)
President Rivlin pays condolence visit to family of terror victim Danny Gonen.
(photo credit: MARK NEYMAN / GPO)
During his first two months in office, President Reuven Rivlin traveled throughout the country paying condolence calls to the families of soldiers who had paid the supreme sacrifice during Operation Preventive Edge.
This week, on completing a year in office, Rivlin was again paying a condolence call, this time to the family of Danny Gonen, the Israeli who was shot at point blank range by a Palestinian terrorist last Friday, after he and his friend Netanel Hadad left a spring near Dolev where they wanted to go swimming, because it was surrounded by Palestinians and there were no Israelis in sight.
As they were driving away one of the Palestinians called to them in a pleasant manner, asked about water in the spring, thanked them and turned to move away. He then called them back, and when they stopped again, he began shooting at them. Gonen was critically wounded and died of his injuries.
Rivlin went to the Gonen family home in Lod on Monday to offer his condolences. He embraced each of the mourners including Gonen’s mother Devora and expressed his deep sorrow that such a tragedy had overtaken the family.
Devora Gonen told Rivlin how much Danny had loved the land, and how at every opportunity he loved to go hiking and to explore all the highways, byways and hidden trails. She also spoke of her son as being a kind and generous person who gave of himself to others.
”He was one of the good sons of this country,” she said. “His loss is almost unbearable.”
Danny’s sister Rotem told Rivlin that her brother had been a father figure to his younger siblings after their father had died.
After listening intently to what the family had to say, Rivlin voiced his confidence that security forces will track down the assailant and bring him to justice.
Hadad who was injured during the shooting was also present during Rivlin’s visit and described for him in detail what had taken place.
The family had donated Danny’s organs so as to give life to others. Rivlin was greatly moved when he heard this and commended the family for its courage and its nobility at a time of its painful grief.