A local rabbi says a Utah man was among those killed during this weekend's terrorist attacks in Israel.
On Tuesday, Rabbi Avremi Zippel posted to social media that Lotan Abir, a member of the Young Jewish Professionals Utah group, was killed while attending a rave.
Zippel told FOX 13 News that Abir, 24, was attending the music festival in southern Israel with two others when the attack began. While Abir was killed, his two companions who had previously visited Utah were able to escape.
Over 250 people were killed at the Tribe of Nova festival near Gaza.
Originally from Israel, Abir had lived in Utah for nearly a year before traveling back home. While in Utah, Abir was a DJ and musician, while also working as a handyman when needed.
“Super handy. He was locksmith, a handy man." the rabbi said. "He had joined our community for a number of holiday events and programming. He was someone that people enjoyed being around. He was someone who was perpetually happy, always had a great smile, not a malicious bone in his body.”
Lotan Abir. A member of the Young Jewish Professional Utah community.
— Avremi Zippel (@UtahRabbi) October 10, 2023
Went to a rave Friday night.
Confirmed among the 1,000+ dead in Israel.
May his memory be for a blessing and May God avenge his blood. pic.twitter.com/NJpPiPlCYt
"May his memory be for a blessing and May God avenge his blood," the rabbi wrote.
Sen. Mitt Romney expressed his shock and sadness over Abir's death.
"I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Lotan Abir—may he rest in peace," Romney said in a written statement. "I continue to pray for the safe return of hostages, for the Israeli soldiers and first responders in harm’s way, and for the families of the victims of Hamas’ brutality. I condemn these unprovoked atrocities in the strongest possible terms and wholeheartedly stand with Israel, with the Jewish people, and our Jewish community in Utah.”
