CPAM at the memorial for Habtom

Hundreds of Eritreans and Israelis gathered in Levinsky Park to mourn Habtom Zarhum, shot by guards in the Beer Sheba bus station who thought he was a terrorist. A group of men then lynched Zarhum, who died from multiple wounds a few hours later.

The crowd gathered in the park and there was much sobbing as candles were lit in his memory. Joining the crowd was a delegation from the Coordination for the Pastoral Among Migrants of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, including Latin Patriarchal Vicar Father David Neuhaus, Geez rite chaplain Father Medhin Yohannes, director of the Our Lady Woman of Valor Pastoral Center in south Tel Aviv, Father Michael Grospe, Indian chaplain Father Tojy Jose, Comboni Sister Azezet, social worker at Our Lady Woman of Valor, Katrin, and resource manager Kiril.

Eritrean Orthodox Father Semreab spoke first in Tigrinye, urging the crowd to maintain their faith. He was followed by Catholic Geez rite Father Medhin. Father David briefly addressed the crowd in Hebrew, saying that united in our weeping for Habtom, Eritreans and Israelis, we must also be united in our commitment to building a better world for our children.

Listen to part of Father David's words here