An Israeli mother has become the latest victim of Palestinian terrorism, leaving behind three young children, one of whom was in the vehicle when her mother was killed.
The incident took place on Monday, 21 August 2023, when the innocent victims were driving on Route 60 in Judea and Samaria (West Bank).
Preschool teacher Batsheva Nigri, 42, and her six-year-old daughter had hitched a ride with Aryeh Gottlieb, 39. As they drove, two terrorists in a separate vehicle pulled in front of them and blocked the road, causing the vehicle to stop. The terrorists then opened fire on the victims, killing Batsheva and seriously wounding Aryeh. Miraculously the daughter was only lightly wounded by shrapnel. The terrorist then fled the scene and are at large.
The Al-Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade, the armed wing of Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority, took credit for the attack. Outrageously, the terrorists claimed that murdering an Israeli mother in front of her child was “a natural response to the crimes of the occupation.”
There is nothing ‘natural’ about such an act of evil. Attacking innocent civilians is a heinous act on all accounts and a war crime according to international law and there is no justification for it.
Sadly, this didn’t stop the Palestinians from celebrating the murder of an innocent woman. Social media accounts shared multiple images of Palestinians celebrating the murder with sweet treats, including baklava, being handed out in the streets of Gaza and the West Bank by Palestinians to celebrate the event. A shocking tradition that is common after terror attacks.
Following today's terrorist attack in which 40-year-old Israeli mother Batsheva Nagari was brutally murdered, Palestinians in Gaza distributed celebratory sweets.
Such repugnant behavior underscores how deeply embedded antisemitic ideology is in parts of Palestinian society. pic.twitter.com/4kbXkQVtiD
— Sacha Roytman (@SachaRoytman) August 21, 2023
This attack came just two days after an Israeli father and son were murdered by Palestinian terrorists in the Palestinian town of Huwara.
The two Israeli victims were identified as Shay Silas Nigreker, 60, and his 28-year-old son Aviad Nir, residents of Ashdod. They were shot dead at close range by a terrorist armed with a handgun.
The father and son were in the town to run errands and getting their vehicle serviced. They were killed as they waited outside a carwash as their vehicle was being washed just a few feet away from them. The terrorist is said to have killed them because he overheard them speaking in Hebrew.
Following the attacks, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense Minister Gallant visited the location where the Israeli mother was murdered.
“We are in the midst of a terror offensive which is encouraged, planned, and funded by Iran and her satellites,” Netanyahu stated at the scene.
“We are working around the clock to reach the murderers. I wish to give support to all the soldiers and commanders who work day and night to protect the residents and all of us, we all have to support them.” Gallant added that “we will find the terrorists and conduct additional actions to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel and to take a toll on the ones responsible for this.”
Gallant stated: “On behalf of Israel’s defense establishment, I would like to send my sincere condolences to the families of those who were murdered [in the terror attack that took place today]. It is important to understand the significant change that is taking place on the ground – it is related to Iranian funding and to the proliferation of weapons under the Iranian directive. Iran seeks every means to harm the citizens of Israel. We will reach the terrorists, and we will take additional action in order to ensure the security of Israel’s citizens while exacting a price from those responsible for any harm.”
We need to continue to pray for Israel and the Jewish people. This mother was killed simply because she is a Jew living in her ancient homeland. The enemies of God seek Israel’s destruction and they want to scare Israelis off the land through terror. God is on Israel’s side and His people are not going anywhere.
This year, we want to do more to bless Israel and the Jewish people.
We know that as we bless Israel this year, God will bless us, just as He promised in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Now is the time to bless Israel and the Jewish people.
