HALF A YEAR ON, YOUNG TERROR VICTIM’S BITTERSWEET CELEBRATION:

Natan Banita-Bennett's father was murdered in front of him, while he and his mother were left wounded. Half a year ago, two-year-old Natan's picture became an icon of the brutality of Arab terrorism, after a stabbing attack in Jerusalem's Old City left his young father, Rabbi Aharon Banita-Bennett, dead and him and his mother Adelle injured. Rabbi Nehemia Lavi was also murdered in the attack, as he attempted to intervene after hearing Adelle's screams. On Monday 30 May 2016, Natan turned three and, as is customary among many Jewish families, received his first haircut. Friends and relatives packed the hall for the celebration, which was also held in thanksgiving for Natan and Adelle's recovery from their injuries. Around 100 family members were present at the event, held in Jerusalem, together with friends and dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, Adelle described her strong sense of mixed emotions. "This is of course a celebration which is mixed with much sadness," she said. "With that, we have much faith. We feel that Aharon was taken for the sake of all the nation of Israel, and we are trying to be happy." She also told of her difficulty recovering from the attack, both physically and emotionally. "Every day is very hard, each and every second, the memories and just living," she said. "We want to thank all of those who have stood by us.” Adelle's mother, Miriam Gal, told of her grandson's trauma and battle to recover physically since experiencing the horrific events over the Succot festival last year. "We continue to face challenges, and we are still making a great effort to help the boy through the treatment he is undergoing. Apart from that, just to cope as an orphan, without a father - it's a daily struggle," she added. "We haven't closed any circle - we're in the middle of one, in the middle of this journey. We're just carrying on. He knows, he remembers, he cries a lot, he misses his daddy. The boy asks lots of questions and all the time looks at the sky and says 'daddy is in heaven.'" (Arutz-7) Pray for this young boy, hardly more than a baby, who has suffered so much pain, tragedy and loss in his first years. May he be comforted and healed both physically and emotionally. Pray also for Adelle, his mother, and for all within the two families, who suffered the loss of loved ones in this brutal terrorist attack.