A haredi extremist defaced an image of Ronit Elimelech, a United Hatzalah volunteer who was killed during Operation Rising Lion, in Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet, Ynet reported on Tuesday.
Elimelech was killed along with her mother and seven others when an Iranian missile struck a synagogue in the neighborhood.
“It’s a portrait on a rescue vehicle, not a private picture for someone to deface,” her brother, Tomer, told Ynet.
He added that the incident was especially painful given that their mother had sponsored a Torah scroll in memory of her parents, which is used in the same neighborhood where the vandalism occurred.
"I’ll tell you the truth, you succeeded, I hate you, without reason – without anything, you did this," he added.
"I wonder what you would do if it were reversed, you filth, and you managed to create baseless hatred. It turns out you’re to blame, I won’t forgive you, you don’t deserve the Torah,” he told Ynet.
The behavior of an extremist
A resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh described the incident as the work of an extremist.
“The driver was in shock and drove away,” the resident said. “What shocked him most is that he comes here every day to respond to medical emergencies.”
“In the neighborhood, United Hatzalah responders arrive to save lives,” the resident added. “It’s frustrating to see a vehicle that serves the community vandalized. It’s unfortunate that this is how the driver and the organization are treated.”
Eli Beer, head of United Hatzalah, also condemned the defacement, calling it a “vile act.”
“This is an extreme act that does not represent the residents of Beit Shemesh,” Beer said. “It crosses a red line and has no place in our society.”
He added that Elimelech “dedicated her entire life to helping and saving lives, regardless of religion, race, or gender.”
“The best response to this vandalism is the campaign we launched to raise funds for an emergency ATV in her memory,” Beer said. “I call on everyone to participate so we can continue saving lives and helping those in need.”