Hundreds attended Monday's funeral, including numerous Nova festival survivors, to pay their last respects to Shirel Golan, who passed away on her 22nd birthday. Her family revealed that her mental state had deteriorated after surviving Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 massacre. They maintain that despite suffering from PTSD, she received neither treatment nor support from the state.
At the cemetery, Nova survivors displayed a banner reading: "Shirel was murdered on October 7, yet remained alive until today. Thousands of souls died and survived that day." After reciting the Kaddish [Jewish mourning prayer], her father Meir said: "Shirel, rest in peace. You had a difficult year. The National Insurance Institute and the state failed to help you. Let the state know there are 3,000 more Nova survivors who need help. May you be the last Nova casualty."
Her brother Eyal eulogized: "Shirel didn't end her life – she was murdered. She was murdered twice, first spiritually on Oct. 7. While she escaped the terrorists that day, she couldn't survive the crushing weight of bureaucratic failure. No one saw you, Shirel, except Mom and Dad. Where is our beloved state of Israel? Wake up. Shirel, I swear your case will become a turning point for all Nova survivors… We won't allow another Nova survivor to endure what Shirel suffered."
Her brother Lior said: "Shirel, I loved you more than anything in the world. You were beautiful and talented. If she had received help, we probably wouldn't be here today. A family cannot cope with something like this alone."
