An American-Israeli man was seriously injured in the head in Samaria, but that didn’t stop him from responding quickly – as he was trained to do.
By Terri Nir, United with Israel
David Stern was driving with his family to a program at the Machon Shilo educational institute Sunday afternoon when a Palestinian terrorist suddenly began shooting at their vehicle that was passing by the town of Huwara, in Samaria.
Stern, who happens to be a trained EMT, managed to fire back at the terrorist despite having been hit in the head by gunfire. He reportedly also bandaged his wounds before Magen David Adom medics arrived at the scene.
He was then transferred to Rabin Center-Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikvah.
Stern’s wife was lightly injured and suffered trauma. Their three children, who were sitting in the back seat, were unscathed.
It appears that Stern’s quick response, despite his wounds, saved his family’s lives.
Rabbi David Bar-Hayim, head of Machon Shilo, has asked the public to pray for his friend’s full recovery.
“Thank God, there was a miracle,” he posted on social media, saying that Stern’s skull was grazed and the bullet continued to his arm.
MK Tzvi Sukkot (Religious Zionism) tweeted about his “dear friend,” saying that “after sustaining a direct volley [of gunfire], he managed to return fire and wound the terrorist – and then treat himself. A miracle happened here!”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued the following statement:
“I am praying for the wounded hero injured in the attack in Huwara, who was able to neutralize the terrorist. I send my support to the security forces operating in the area. I reiterate: Anyone trying to harm the citizens of Israel will pay the price.”
Three weeks ago, a Palestinian terrorist from Huwara murdered two brothers – Hillel Menachem and Yigal Yaakov Yaniv, in their early 20s – near the same location as Sunday’s attack.