The security guard who was murdered on Friday in a terrorist attack in Ariel has been identified as Vyacheslav Golev, 23, of Beit Shemesh.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Vyacheslav was killed by two Palestinian terrorists who were arrested by Israeli security forces on Saturday evening. They were later named as Yahya Mar'ee, 19, and Yousseff A'asi, 20 from the village of Qarawat Bani Hassan, southwest of Nablus.
The attack, claimed by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's military wing, took place at the entrance to Ariel, the largest Israeli city in Samaria, around 9 p.m. on Friday.
According to available details, a vehicle with an Israeli license plate drove up to the guard post at the western entrance to Ariel, stopped, and the two terrorists then emerged from it, opening fire at Golev and a female security guard stationed at the post, then got back into the car and sped away.
Golev shielded the guard, Ashkelon resident Victoria Fligelman, from the gunfire, saving her life. It was later released that Golev and Fligelman were a couple and had gotten engaged just a few weeks ago.
Several hours after the attack, the terrorists' vehicle was found burned in a field between the Palestinian towns of Kafr Thulth and Saniriya.
Eli Novoselsky, who serves as chief of security for Ariel, the largest Israeli city in Samaria, said that his department was unaware that the two were a couple, which is why they were allowed to work together.
He said Fligelman was severely traumatized by the incident. "We got her the help she needs. She had trouble telling us what happened at first but later we learned that he pushed her aside, which save her life. We had no idea they were a couple. If we had, we wouldn't have allowed them to be stationed at the same post."
Ariel Mayor Eliyahu Shaviro offered the Golev family his condolences.
"I, and everyone in Ariel, send condolences to the family of the security guard who was murdered by these cold-blooded terrorists. The wave of terrorism that has been sweeping across Israel has now reached us, as well.
"Ariel is an integral part of the State of Israel, but this is our place and here we will stay. We will draw the necessary conclusions from this incident and implement them as soon as possible."
Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam said he instructed the city's welfare department to see to Fligelman's every need.
"We will stand by Victoria and her family during this difficult time. We offer the Golev family our condolences. May you never know sorrow again."
Beit Shemesh Mayor Dr. Aliza Bloch arrived at the Golev family home on Saturday evening to personally offer her support.
"[Vyacheslav] was a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice to save the guard who was stationed alongside him. Teams from the city's welfare department are with the family and we will stand by them at this difficult time."
Golev is survived by his parents, seven siblings and fiancée.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
