London rabbi ‘completely devastated’ after British-Israeli sisters killed in West Bank taking pictures

An “absolutely devastated” north London rabbi says his group is feeling a “sense of pain and grief” after the killing of two British-Israeli sisters within the occupied West Bank.

Maia and Rina Dee, reportedly aged 20 and 15 respectively, had been shot useless when their automotive was attacked by Palestinian assailants close to an Israeli settlement on Friday.

Their 45-year-old mom, Lucy Dee, was critically wounded, whereas their father, Rabbi Leo Dee, witnessed the assault from a separate car following behind.

Rabbi Dee was the senior rabbi at Radlett United Synagogue in Hertfordshire from 2011-2014 and assistant rabbi in Hendon, north London, from 2008-2011.

Mordechai Ginsbury, senior rabbi at Hendon United Synagogue, who has saved involved with the household since they moved again to Israel in 2014, stated he was feeling “absolute devastation, pain, grief and shock” following the tragedy.

He stated the Dees are the “nicest, loveliest people” and he was “so, so sorry”.

He stated: “To think that in a few moments, so senselessly and painfully, this has happened, such a tragic loss of life, of goodness, is just devastating.”

Recalling the time they spent within the UK, Rabbi Ginsbury stated: “They used to come to us at home. They were just a delightful family, full of commitment, vigour, passion, energy, and they did wonderful things for us in the community.”

He stated he spoke to Rabbi Dee final evening and “one of the things that is sustaining him is the blanket of warmth and love which is enveloping them within Israel and around the world”.

Rabbi Ginsbury stated he was planning to carry a service of psalms and prayers on Sunday night for individuals who “want to express their sense of pain, grief and solidarity with the Dees and with all the good and positive values that we, as Jewish people, stand for across the world and in Israel”.

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The taking pictures close to the Hamra settlement – about 30 miles north of Jerusalem, got here after Israel launched retaliatory air strikes at Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

In a press release launched to The Daily Telegraph by Rabbi Dee, he stated he was assured “justice will be done” for his daughters’ deaths.

And he added the household was “saddened” by the present political state of affairs in Israel.

“Some people think that a religious government will suppress minority rights and become totalitarian,” he stated.

“But this is not a risk in Israel as religious Jews simply believe in balancing love and justice.

“For our half, we now have felt a heat hug of affection from Jews in Israel and past and we’re assured that justice shall be performed.”