ZAKA International Unit | Press Release
After ten days of intensive efforts and complex coordination across several countries, the body of a 70-year-old Israeli woman who was killed in a tragic road accident in New Zealand has been returned to Israel. The operation was led by ZAKAโs International Unit through a complicated logistical and diplomatic effort.
The woman was killed in a tragic accident in a parking area near a harbor in New Zealand. She had returned to her vehicle to retrieve her mobile phone while on her way with her husband to board a cruise ship.
Since the incident, ZAKAโs International Unit worked closely with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, local authorities, and the local Chabad emissary, Rabbi Avraham Rosenberg, to secure the release of the body and arrange for its transfer to Israel.
Last Friday, the body was released in New Zealand and was scheduled to arrive in Israel on a regular flight Saturday night. However, due to the outbreak of the โRoaring Lionโ war on Shabbat and the subsequent cancellation of flights, a significant delay occurred in bringing her to burial.
ZAKA did not give up and led intensive efforts both in Israel and abroad. These efforts included coordination with authorities and diplomatic officials, ultimately securing a private aircraft that transported the deceased to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Early this morning, Purim, at 5:00 AM, Rabbi Meir Eker, Operations Officer of ZAKA Jerusalem District, traveled to the Taba border crossing, where he received the coffin and transferred it by ZAKA ambulance to Beit Shemesh.
The funeral will take place tomorrow at the Eretz HaChaim Cemetery in Beit Shemesh.
Yossi Landau, ZAKA Operations Officer for the Lachish Region, said:
โThis was an extremely complex operation that lasted many days. From the very first moment we accompanied the family during their most difficult hours and worked tirelessly with all the relevant authorities in New Zealand, Israel, and other countries to bring the deceased to burial in Israel. Even after the scheduled flight was canceled due to the security situation, we did not stop until we succeeded in bringing her home. This is the mission of chesed shel emet, returning a Jew to burial in their homeland.โ
The family expressed deep gratitude to ZAKA, saying they have no words to thank the organization for its dedication and support, adding that they do not know how they would have managed these difficult moments without ZAKA.
