Publications
Partners
- South African Eli Kay paid the price for the risks of living in Israel, his father says.
- Kay was shot in a terror attack in Jerusalem on Sunday while on his way to the Western Wall.
- The trained Israeli soldier had been known for his warmth to others, regardless of race, his father said.
The Western Wall was the landmark around which Eli Kay's life revolved.
It was the tangible evidence of his faith, the site at which he completed his day's work, the sacred space at which he pledged to serve the Holy Land - and, on Sunday, it became the place at which the bullet that would end his life was fired.
The South African was shot while on his way to pray at the Western Wall on Sunday, in an alleged terror attack in Israel's capital. He later died in Hadassah Hospital.
Eli worked as a tour guide at the Western Wall Plaza in the Old City of Jerusalem.
READ | South African man killed in Jerusalem by Hamas gunman
The Western Wall, or Kotel, is the most significant site in the world for the Jewish people. The landmark is the last remains of the wall surrounding the Temple Mount, the site of the temples of Jerusalem. The site is considered holy, and Jews from around the world travel to pray at the Western Wall, as well as writing notes and leaving it between the stones of the wall.
It was at the Western Wall that Eli's father, Avi Kay, last saw his son.
The family had followed Eli to Israel after witnessing his graduation ceremony from the Israeli army at the same site. Avi had met Eli at the plaza on Thursday and had poured over maps and diagrams of the wall, admiring the architecture and detail that could be seen in the ancient structure.
But the site had significance beyond his daily work – it was where Eli graduated as a solider in the Israeli army, having pursued a dream to become a paratrooper. He had worked his way up the ranks to platoon commander before leaving the armed forces.
Avi said:
After leaving the army, Eli had joined a kibbutz, where he had discovered a passion for "what it means to work with the holiness of the land". While there, he had completed a tour guiding course and, after two years, Eli had moved to the capital city.
In his work at the Western Wall, Avi remembers how Eli lived out his convictions every day.
He recalled that there was a cleaner of Arab descent, who Eli would greet warmly – as he did with everyone.
The Rainbow Nation
"His Jewish colleagues would sometimes be surprised that he was so friendly, questioning how he could be so warm to this Arab man. But he grew up in South Africa, in the Rainbow Nation, where colour, creed and religion don't matter," said Avi.
"That's the privilege of growing up in South Africa. I thank God and South Africa's leaders for allowing my child to grow up in a country where people don't see differences."
READ | He treated everyone with love and respect - Family of SA man killed in Jerusalem
The attack forms part of a longstanding conflict. Jerusalem's Old City is in the Israeli-annexed eastern part of Jerusalem, which Palestinians claim as the capital of their future state. Eli is the first Israeli civilian killed by Palestinian violence since the 11-day conflict in the Gaza Strip in May.
Hamas has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Three more people were wounded in the attack by the Hamas militant. He was shot dead by authorities, Israeli officials said.
A family united
"There's a risk of living in Israel, and there's a risk with being a Jew. Eli paid that price," said Avi.
It's a conflict Eli was more than familiar with. He had seen action at the Gaza border during his time in the defence force – something Avi said had left Eli "traumatised" and been difficult for his parents.
"I remember lying in bed at night, waiting to hear that he'd landed safely after parachute training. He would call my wife, Devorah, and say: 'Ma, I'm on the ground. You can go to sleep now'," recalled Avi.
Eli was laid to rest at Jerusalem's Har Menuchot cemetery on Monday, during which his family made a plea for thoughts of vengeance and further conflict to be set aside.
"As a family, we're united. Everyone in their own way should appreciate that Eli's murder was wrong, disgraceful and inhumane. This is not the way people of faith behave. But the questions should be, to every person: 'What are you going to take away from this? How are you going to improve society, so that everyone can benefit?" said Avi.
Your opinion matters to us. Be part of the conversation and tell us what you think about this story in the comments section.
