President Herzog Hosts Family of Yimno Zalaka Three Months After His Murder

On the eve of the three-month anniversary of Yimno Zalaka's brutal murder, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal hosted Zalaka's family at the President's Residence. The 21-year-old was violently attacked and stabbed by a group of youths in Petah Tikva on Israel's Independence Day and died two days later in the hospital. During the meeting, the President and his wife spoke with the family about Yimno's character and the initiatives they have launched in his memory.

The gathering coincided with the Jewish fast day of Tisha B'Av, a time for social reflection on the consequences of hatred and division. President Herzog called for a united societal effort to combat all forms of violence and to strengthen social cohesion and mutual responsibility. He expressed solidarity with the family and condemned the senseless hatred that led to Yimno's death, emphasizing the responsibility of all Israelis to fight such violence.

Yimno's parents, Batal and Shahiba, shared their grief and lamented that internal hatred, rather than external enemies, is what destroys Israeli society. Yimno's older sister, Yiros Zalaka, described their initiative, the "Love Like Yimno" movement, aimed at eradicating violence. She stressed the importance of societal change to spread their message of unconditional love and respect, reflecting Yimno's own values.