Benaya Peretz, who was seriously injured in the attack at the Tapuach junction about two years ago, in which his son's best friend, the late Yehuda Guetta, was also murdered, landed in Israel today (Wednesday) together with his father after completing the first stage of a long rehabilitation in which they tried to help him regain his ability to move his body parts and return to talking.
After completing phase one of the process, Benaya returned for Rosh Hashanah to stay with his family, accompanied by Zviki Goldberg. Benaya was received with applause, signs, dancing, and excitement by the residents of Samaria, including the head of the Samaria Council, Yossi Dagan. In the reception hall, the students of the Itamar Yeshiva, where Benaya studied until the day of the attack, were waiting for him with Israeli flags, Samaria flags, singing and dancing.
"It was a time when you felt alone a lot and there were many ups and downs, it's exciting to return to Israel, to see the family, the friends, to draw strength for the process to continue, we are only in the middle and I believe with all my heart that I will succeed," said Benaya.
Ofer, Benaya's father, said: "I want to thank the people who came here, to Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Council, who accompanied us to the head of the Itamar Yeshiva Zvika Goldberg, who came to Bangkok to accompany us. I am thrilled, my heart is expanding. We have been on a journey for 5 months, far from home, far from the family, from the friends, from the country, from the people."
"God bless, we feel that every day there was progress, every minute. Benaya did not stop smiling for a moment, he saw that this process was advancing him and we are seeing the redemption. God willing, Benya will get back on his feet. We won and we will continue to win."
The head of the Samaria Council, Yossi Dagan said to Benaya upon their meeting: "Benaya, we are all excited that you are here with us, we adore you. The residents of Samaria and the entire nation of Israel are all waiting for you here."
"We agreed when you were in intensive care in Belinson that we would run together. I started training because your inspiration, perseverance, faith, and determination are an inspiration to all of us. You were physically far away but you were not far away in heart. The entire settlement in Samaria and the entire people of Israel pray for your recovery. Your faith and determination and that of your parents are an inspiration to all of us, you are the hero of Israel. We love you, welcome home."
The head of the Itamar Yeshiva, Rabbi Yehoshua Van Dijk, said at the emotional meeting: "We are in awe of the courage of Benaya and the strength and resilience of his dear family. Two years ago we gathered at his bedside in praying Selichot at the hospital, and now we see the salvation and the enormous distance he has made with god help. We Come back and say to all our enemies - you will not succeed against the people of Israel"