Murder of Dvir Sorek
| Murder of Dvir Sorek | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict | |
| Native name | רצח דביר שורק |
| Location | Migdal Oz, West Bank |
| Date | 7 August 2019 20:30 pm (UTC+2) |
Attack type | Attempted hostage-taking, stabbing |
| Weapons | Knife, taser |
| Deaths | 1 civilian (Dvir Sorek) |
No. of participants | 2 |
| Motive | Anti-Semitism |
On 7 August 2019,[1] 18-year-old yeshiva student Dvir Sorek[2] was stabbed to death near the Israeli settlement of Migdal Oz.[3]
Incident
Sorek was an 18-year-old Yeshiva student, was traveling alone from his yeshiva (named Machanayim) to Jerusalem to buy books for his rabbis as a gift for the end of the school year. He was apparently attacked on his way back, by (it was believed) two assailants, near a bus stop. Despite initially believing that his death was a kidnapping, Israeli security forces came to the conclusion that Soreks' death was a premeditated murder.[4]
Two Palestinian men, 24-year-old Nazir Saleh Khalil Atafra and 30-year-old Qasem Araf Khalil Atafra, were arrested for the murder. Their houses were demolished.[5]
Funeral
His funeral was held in Ofra, where Sorek’s family resided, the next day and thousands of people attended. Sorek’s father performed the eulogy.[2]
Reactions
- The United Nations peace envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, called the killing a "dangerous act."
- The United Kingdom ambassador to Israel, Neil Wigan, hoped that the killers would "be brought to justice."[6]
Aftermath
Two Palestinians accused of the murder were captured by Israeli soldiers in the village of Beit Kahil outside Hebron. The suspects were identified as 24-year-old Nazir Saleh Khalil Atafra, a Hamas terrorist, and 30-year-old Qasem Araf Khalil Atafra.[7] Qassem was also convicted of a 2011 attempted murder of two Israeli civilians in Beersheba. In December 2021, the two cousins were sentenced to life imprisonment. Qassem was given a 40-year sentence, with Nasir handed an additional 20 years.[8]
See also
- List of terrorist incidents in August 2019
- Murder of Ori Ansbacher (February 2019)
- Murder of Rina Shnerb (23 August 2019)
References
- ^ "Murdered yeshiva student: Dvir Sorek of Ofra". Arutz Sheva. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- ^ a b Lazaroff, Tovah; Sharon, Jeremy (8 August 2019). "Terror victim killed days before 19th birthday eulogized as gentle soul". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- ^ "At scene of terror attack, Netanyahu vows Israel will 'settle the score'". The Times of Israel. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- ^ Gross, Judah Ari (8 August 2019). "Security forces dismiss suspicion Etzion stabbing attack was failed kidnapping". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- ^ "IDF demolishes houses of terrorists who killed Dvir Sorek". Jerusalem Post. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "UN, Western diplomats denounce murder of 19-year-old Israeli student". The Times of Israel. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- ^ Ahronheim, Anna (10 August 2019). "IDF, Shin Bet catch Dvir Sorek's killers". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ "2 terrorists who killed Israeli Dvir Sorek in 2019 sentenced to life in prison". Times of Israel. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
