Four of the five Israelis killed in the terror attack in Burgas on Wednesday were laid to rest on Friday. Itzik Kolengi, 28, Amir Menashe, 28, Maor Harush, 25, and Kochava Shriki, 44, have been laid to rest, while Elior Priess\’s funeral is set to commence at 3 pm.
Hundreds attended Itzik Kolengi\’s funeral at the Segula cemetery in Petah Tikva. His wife, Gilat, who was injured in the attack and brought to the Rabin Medical Center in moderate condition on Thursday, was told of her husband\’s death on Friday morning. She was unable to attend the funeral due to her medical condition.
Kolengi\’s brother-in-law Yair Maman said, "I cannot believe we are saying goodbye to you. The extent of the horror is indescribable – you left for an vacation and came back in a coffin."
Itzik\’s brother eulogized him: "I wanted to thank you for being my brother, for getting to share a room with you for more than 20 years. The stunts we pulled together. You are my brother forever. I will never forget you. You always believed in me."
The attack also claimed the life of Kolengi\’s friend, Amir Menashe, 28, whose funeral followed that of Kolengi in the same cemetery. Itzik and Gilat Kolengi traveled to Bulgaria to mark Itzik\’s 28\’th birthday and the birth of their first child, together with their friends Natalie and Amir Menashe.
Amir\’s wife Natalie, who was injured in the attack, arrived at the funeral on a wheelchair supported by family members. "Come back to me," she kept saying. "I can\’t live without you."
Despite having difficulty standing, Natalie insisted on getting up from her wheelchair to say goodbye to Amir. Amir\’s sister Tali eulogized him: "We take comfort by the fact that you lived life to the fullest and started an amazing family."
Family and friends mourn death of Itzik Kolengi (Photo: Moti Kimhi)
Maor Harush, 25, was laid to rest in the Machar cemetery near Akko. The funeral of Elior Priess will also be held there, at 3 pm.
Kochava Shriki, 44, who was pregnant with her first child, has been laid to rest in Rishon Lezion.
Seventeen injured Israelis are still hospitalized in medical centers across Israel. Most of them suffered minor wounds. Two Israelis who were seriously wounded are hospitalized in the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer and the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv.
473