Israel honors its modern-day Maccabees. Brave policemen were decorated in a special Chanukah ceremony.
A policeman is acknowledged for his bravery. (Photo: Israel police)
Slain Druze police officer Zidan Saif was decorated posthumously for his brave actions during the Jerusalem synagogue massacre, in which two Arabs butchered four rabbis and critically wounded several others.
Saif was on a routine shift, serving as a traffic policeman, when he heard of the attack. First to arrive at the scene, he exchanged fire with the terrorists and was killed in the battle. His bravery certainly prevented more deaths.
Rinal, Saif’s widow, and his weeping mother received the award on his behalf during a special Chanukah ceremony Tuesday night, in which other brave men and women were decorated.
A border policeman who jumped into a terrorist’s car and stopped it, thus preventing a potential massive suicide attack, was recognized. Two officers who extracted a man from a burning car that was hit by a rocket during Operation Protective Edge were honored. Other members of the security forces who exhibited courage in the face of danger and terror were all awarded medals for their outstanding actions.
“The stories of those who are decorated are not merely the stories of individuals; they are the stories of entire units, stations and battalions, of men and their commanders. It’s the story of an organization that has been fighting from the day of its inception for the basic right for personal security, to live a life of peace and security in this country,” Chief of Police Yohanan Danino stated.
“These medals are given to individuals but are also dedicated to the spirit of the police values, to those exalted characteristics of nobility, volunteering, of engaging the enemy, of acting for the general public, whom without them we have no existence as a nation,” Danino added.
President Reuven Rivlin said that “the outstanding stories of those present here prove that a brave and exemplary heart beats in the police’s chest.”
Civilian Gallantry Cited
Hadas Mizrahi (R) and her family with Chief of Police Danino. (Photo: Israel police)
Hadas Mizrahi, wife of police officer Baruch Mizrahi, who was killed Passover eve by a terrorist released in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange, received a civilian award for her courage during the attack. She was driving with her family on the way to celebrate the holiday when a terrorist opened fire on the family car. Her husband was shot and she was wounded. Nevertheless, she stopped the car and steered it away from danger, and then calmly contacted the police in order not to frighten her children.
“This is an award for exceptional and unique behavior. [She] is honored together with brave policemen who acted for civilians.”
By: United with Israel Staff
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