Arye Hershkowitz

Jan 29, 2001 - Arye Hershkowitz, 55, of Ofra, was killed by shots fired from a passing car near the Rama junction north of Jerusalem.

Palestinian gunmen shot dead Arye Hershkovitz near Ramallah yesterday in what security sources believe may have been an attack by Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's Force 17. At least three bullets passed through the car's windshield, hitting him in the heart. Although the car ran into a ditch, its sole passenger, Yonathan Ben-Ami of Beit El, was unscathed and immediately alerted the authorities.

Hershkovitz, who worked in the Pereg air conditioning company in the Atarot industrial zone, was on his way to Beit El to repair someone's heating system, and picked up Ben-Ami who was hitchhiking home. Hershkovitz was traveling east when terrorists in a red vehicle opened fire at his car and fled toward the nearby Palestinian autonomous area. At least 10 cartridge cases were found scattered on the road at the site of the attack.

Hershkovitz's wife, Geula, heard about the shooting on the radio. Her fears were raised when she was unable to reach her husband on his cellphone. She immediately called the regional emergency headquarters, only to find out that her husband was the victim. A neighbor described Hershkovitz as a practical man with a heart of gold, who was always willing to assist others despite his somewhat gruff appearance.

The couple had lived in Ofra for 14 years and had four children and four grandchildren.

Arye Hershkovitz was laid to rest in Petah Tikva.