Local Jewish leader Dr Dvir Abramovich tells cousin’s terror in Israel during Hamas attacks

Adia Cohen and her children spent 10 hours huddled in a safe room as carnage reigned outside her door in Israel – as SA leaders condemn the horrifying attacks.

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A prominent local Jewish leader’s cousin – who lives in southern Israel, where Hamas gunmen opened fire at a music festival – has told how she spent more than 10 hours huddled in a safe room next to her children as they listened to their neighbours being murdered outside.

Adia Cohen says screams rang through her home as an RPG missile landed on her roof in the Israeli kibbutz of Re’im during a large-scale surprise attack by Hamas militants on Saturday.

Ms Cohen was rescued by Israeli Defence Forces after the ordeal – six of her neighbours now dead and her home destroyed.

“The Hamas gunmen then entered our home, pretending to be Israeli soldiers and asked us to open the door to the safe room. Luckily, we did not,” she said.

“Inside, we heard our neighbours (six of them murdered, others injured and kidnapped) screaming for help and the terrorists shooting at people.

“We had very little water and food and were gravely concerned for our elderly parents, also at Kibbutz Re’im, who were sending distressing messages on WhatsApp.

Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Dr Dvir Abramovich with his cousin Adia in 2022. Picture: Supplied

Ms Cohen said her family would “never forget the terrifying scenes of carnage and death” they saw as they were escorted from their home by military vehicles.

“With tears in our eyes, we were escorted out of the Kibbutz.”

Ms Cohen’s cousin, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission Dr Dvir Abramovich, was born in Israel – where a formal declaration of war has now been made.

Dr Abramovich said South Australian Israeli and Jewish communities were “holding each other close” this week, after one of the bloodiest days in the 75-year history of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“The horrors shown in the footage from Kibbutz Re’im are unthinkable … I have spoken to people from our local communities (who) have loved ones caught in the conflict,” Dr Abramovich said.

“My cousin and her family have been forced from their home as blood spills around them. 

“This is a horrific and brutal act of violence against Israel and against our communities – this is the largest number of Jews killed in a single day since the Holocaust.”

Opposition leader David Speirs in Israel in 2020. Picture: Facebook

Tonight Adelaide landmarks including Parliament House, Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Railway Station and Riverbank Footbridge will be illuminated blue and white in solidarity with the State of Israel. pic.twitter.com/feHS1WLRLq

— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) October 8, 2023

State opposition leader David Speirs condemned the attacks, saying he stood with the Israeli community.

“This needless attack on civilians is barbaric and should be loudly condemned,” Mr Speirs said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the many Israelis who I know and the nation at large, as well as South Australia’s Jewish community.”

On Monday, Premier Peter Malinauskas announced that Adelaide Oval and other CBD landmarks would be lit in Israeli colours “in solidarity with the State of Israel”.

Adelaide Hebrew Congregation President Warren Bund said some of the community’s elderly members, who experienced the Holocaust, were “reliving those horrid days and trembling again”.

“The are many Israeli families living in South Australia and all are grieving at the loss of life of their Israeli brethren and the irreparable damage done to their homeland,” Mr Bund said.

“We have been strengthened by the great support we have received from fellow Adelaideans from various Christian based faiths and who are saying prayers for our Jewish people living in Israel.”

The Australian Union of Jewish Students said local communities were “heartbroken and praying”, saying many are now spending their nights fearing for the safety of loved ones.

“Every single Jew in the diaspora has family and friends in Israel. Reading what is happening is making us all sick,” a spokesperson said.

“We can’t ‘choose’ to care about what happens in Israel, because it’s happening to our family.”

The death toll has now climbed to more than 700 Israelis and more than 400 Palestinians after Israel responded to the attacks with air strikes against housing blocks and a mosque in Gaza.