Rabbi Achiad Ettinger, who was critically wounded in Sunday’s shooting attack at the Ariel Junction in Samaria, has passed away Monday morning.
Ettinger, 47 from the community of Eli in Samaria, was the father of 12 children. He headed a yeshiva in south Tel Aviv, known to be a difficult neighborhood.
Rabbi Ettinger was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition after being shot in the head.
An investigation of the moments of the attack shows that Ettinger drove through the junction, but then noticed that there was an attack and turned his car around. He drew his weapon and fired four shots at the terrorist when he was struck by the terrorist’s bullets that killed him.
The Ettinger family stated after his passing that “the holy Rabbi Achad Ettinger fell on Kiddush Hashem(sanctifying God’s name) by a lowly murderer during a terror attack in which he revealed daring, courage, and great bravery while shooting at the despicable terrorist.”
The family thanked the staff at the Beilinson Hospital, the MDA teams and the Samaria security division, and all the people of Israel who prayed for his recovery.
19-year-old IDF soldier Staff Sgt. Gal Keidan was also killed in the attack when a terrorist stabbed him. It was the first of two attacks carried out by the terrorist.
Another soldier was severely injured when the terrorist shot him at the nearby Gitai Avishar Junction during the second phase of the attack. He is still in serious condition.
The terrorist, Omar Abu Laili, is still at large and the IDF is conducting a broad manhunt for him.
“Heart-breaking news,” stated Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
He visited the hospital on Sunday after the attack “to be with his family who were praying for his recovery,” he recounted. “I embraced them on behalf of all Israelis and was overwhelmed by their strength.”
“Rabbi Ettinger’s life’s work will continue and be among us even after his passing, and the strength he gave his pupils and the community he led will continue to strengthen us through the enormous grief and sorrow,” Rivlin added.
