Michael Mizrahi, 68, an Israeli native originally from Lebanon, was killed in a severe shooting attack in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood. Two days after the incident, arrangements were completed to bring his body to Israel for burial. After a long period of uncertainty, identification was finalized and the body was transferred to the Pfeffermann Institute.
According to the local Jewish community, the rapid release of the body and the return of the coffin to Israel were made possible by ZAKA volunteers from Israel, who worked with local authorities at the request of the family members living in Israel. Mizrahi’s funeral is scheduled for today, Wednesday, at 9:30 a.m. Montreal time. After the service, the coffin will be sent to New York and then flown to Israel on a special plane.
Under the current plan, the coffin is expected to land in Israel on Thursday afternoon. The funeral procession is due to leave Migdal HaEmek shortly after midnight on Friday, when he will be laid to rest beside family members. ZAKA volunteer Moishi Blach, who was at the scene in Montreal, said, “These were long hours of uncertainty.” He added that he moved around the scene with the deceased’s son and different officials in an effort to understand what was happening and help in any way possible.
Meanwhile, the investigation in Canada continues. The hotel from which the shooters emerged remains closed and secured by police, who are still patrolling the city heavily. One of the shooters was killed during the incident and two others were arrested. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was shocked by the shooting, in which a police officer and a civilian were killed and others injured, and expressed sympathy for the victims, their families, rescue forces, and the Côte-des-Neiges community.
