Rabbi Hillel Cohen (circled) at the Hatzalah of Ukraine inauguration two weeks ago.

Director of Hatzalah Stabbed in Kiev

The executive director of Hatzalah in Ukraine, Rabbi Hillel Cohen, was attacked and stabbed last night by anti-Semites in Kiev.

From Yeshiva World News:

The Ichud Hatzalah team, which was only certified by the Ukrainian government two weeks ago, responded along with ZAKA units to treat the rabbi, who was injured in his leg.

He was listed in light-to-moderate condition upon his arrival at a local hospital.

Ichud Hatzalah released a statement which quoted Rabbi Cohen saying “I am shocked that this happened to me. It occurred yesterday evening on the way to the hospital to visit a sick Jewish man, a tourist from the UK who was admitted three weeks ago.”

“In a dark alley near the hospital, I was taken by total surprise as I felt a strong punch to my shoulder and a sharp pain in my calf with shouts “Jew” and a number of other Russian words. I fell to the ground and as a result also injured my hand. They then stabbed me in the leg.”

“B’chasdei Shomayim I got up immediately and saw the two running into a vehicle that appears to have waited for them. I got a taxi to the hospital and then summoned the police, who arrived immediately. I filed an official compliant in the hope that they will try to apprehend the anti-Semites,” he said.

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