Slain Israeli Father Saved Son in Terror Attack, Brother Recounts

Natanel (Nati) Shukron, a 49-year-old father of six, was killed in a shooting attack near the settlement of Neve Tzuf in the West Bank on the eve of Yom Kippur. Shukron, a resident of Ali Zahav, was laid to rest in his community's cemetery. His eldest son, Yoav, who was with him during the attack and unharmed, tearfully eulogized his father, recounting how Natanel's actions saved his life.

In an interview, Natanel's brother, Yaakov (Gako) Shukron, described the moments of the attack. Natanel and Yoav were at a spring near the settlement for a ritual immersion when a Hamas terrorist opened fire. Natanel, showing presence of mind, urged his son to flee the car, an action Yaakov believes also saved other bathers by diverting the attacker's attention.

The terrorist, identified as 37-year-old Hamas operative Kadri Samara, had allegedly been in the area for a day, exploiting the large number of people visiting the spring on the eve of Yom Kippur. He was apprehended about three hours after the attack in a Ramallah hospital, wounded after being shot by a soldier. Yaakov Shukron expressed his belief that perpetrators of attacks on Israelis should be apprehended and prosecuted, regardless of where they seek refuge.

Yaakov also shared poignant family history, noting that his grandfather was murdered in Algeria 70 years prior, and recounted the difficult circumstances of Natanel's birth, where doctors gave his mother a choice between her life and the pregnancy. He described Natanel as a multifaceted individual with deep knowledge of Jewish texts and expertise in high-tech, who also served in the reserves and traveled extensively. Natanel worked as an information systems analyst at "Hashara Insurance Company," and his wife, Dr. Meirav Shukron, is a lecturer at Ariel University.

Yaakov emphasized his brother's legacy as a unifier, stating, "His strength was in his quietness. But the more dominant thing for him was to connect all the different segments of our people. With secular and religious people, he always looked for common ground. And if he entered a conversation with some harsh voices, he knew how to calm those voices down and strengthen the common ground. I think this is his will and his message."