Bodies of Two Israelis Killed in U.S. Plane Crash Arrive in Israel

Three days after the small plane crash disaster in the eastern United States, two of the three Israeli citizens killed in the fatal accident were brought to Israel overnight (Wednesday). After all required release procedures were completed with authorities in the United States, their coffins landed at Ben Gurion Airport and were then taken onward for the funeral and burial process.

The deceased are David Rabinovitch, of blessed memory, and Yoav Bumerind, of blessed memory. Rabinovitch’s funeral will take place today at 4:00 p.m. at Tel Regev Cemetery, while Bumerind will be laid to rest at 6:00 p.m. at the cemetery in Kerem Maharal. The third person killed in the crash will not be buried in Israel, but will instead be laid to rest in Toronto, Canada, in accordance with his family’s wishes.

Behind the complex effort to return the victims to Israel was an extended operation conducted at the crash site in the United States. Immediately after the disaster, Yanky Landau, commander of ZAKA USA, and volunteers from the organization “Misaskim” worked at the scene, spending many long hours collecting all findings and cleaning the area. At the same time, Yossi Landau, operations officer for ZAKA’s Lachish region, worked with local authorities to advance the procedures required to release the deceased and fly them for burial.

When the coffins arrived in Israel, Michael Gutwin, coordinator of the legal department, and Yosef Chaim Hauzi, deputy commander of Beit Shemesh, who accompanied the deceased on their journey home, spoke about the transfer operation.

The two said: "After days of intensive activity at the crash site in the United States, alongside the legal and logistical work required to bring the deceased to burial, we are now accompanying the coffins on their final journey. This is a worldwide mission of chesed shel emet, beginning at the difficult scene and ending only after the deceased are brought to a Jewish burial with the dignity they deserve. Special thanks to the man of kindness Eitan Kariv, CEO of 'Menucha La’ad,' for his assistance in bringing the deceased to burial."