On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, Sergeant First Class Amit Ben Yigal (21) was killed during an overnight raid in the West Bank town of Yabed. Amit was his father’s only child, and the eldest of his mother’s three children (source: jns.org).

Among the crowds who arrived to comfort Amit’s parents during the seven day “shiva” period was singer Ishay Ribo.

“I don’t know how to react in a situation like this,” Ribo said, as quoted by Ynet. “I want to tell everyone here, there is tremendous gratitude in the name of the whole nation for your dear, righteous son Amit. Simply a hero of Israel.”

“May it be God’s will that he will watch over this nation from above,” Ribo continued. “I beg of God that he will bring an end to all of our troubles and bring us true redemption and salvation – because we can’t deal with this anymore.”

Ribo then sang his hit song “HaLev Sheli” (My Heart), bringing Amir’s parents to tears. Amit’s father Baruch told the singer that “HaLev Sheli” was the ringtone he used for his son’s calls.

Kol HaKavod to Ishay Ribo for reminding us what it means to be a member of Am Yisrael. May Amit’s memory be a blessing.