An Israeli-American woman defending a kibbutz during the Oct. 7 massacre was stabbed to death by a 16-year-old boy in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Sergeant. Rose Ida Lubin, 20, was murdered near Herod’s Gate on Monday morning while patrolling the border.
The killer, from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya, attacked Lubin and another border police officer.
When police arrived at the scene, police fatally shot the attacker and arrested another person on suspicion of aiding him.
The two wounded officers, both in their 20s, were treated by Magen David Adom medics before being taken to Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem for treatment.
Sergeant. Rose Ida Lubin, 20, was murdered in a stabbing near Herod’s Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem on Monday morning while patrolling the border
The killer, a 16-year-old boy from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya, attacked Lubin and another border police officer, according to Israeli police (pictured: a knife used in the attack).
The Israeli-American woman had defended a kibbutz in southern Israel during the Oct. 7 massacre before being fatally stabbed in Jerusalem’s Old City a month later
Lubin was in critical condition following the attack and ultimately died as a result of her injuries, while the other officer sustained minor injuries.
The attack occurred near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, the main Palestinian entrance and one of the city’s most heavily guarded streets due to tensions between Muslims and Jews in the area.
Herod’s Gate is one of the seven open gates and connects the Muslim quarter in the Old City with the Palestinian quarter of Bab az-Zahra, just outside.
United Hatzalah volunteer Elad Revanseri said that when he arrived at the scene, a passerby said it was “a terrorist who had been neutralized.”
“We provided initial treatment to a woman in her 20s who was seriously injured and a young man who sustained minor injuries,” he said. “They were then transported to hospital for further treatment.”
Her many friends remember Lubin as a person who radiated kindness and warmth – with a “fiery side” that revealed her unwavering determination and bravery
Lubin, an American-Israeli from Dunwoody, Georgia, a small suburb of Atlanta, began her journey to Israel in 2021 as a new immigrant and lone soldier, courageously joining the IDF without her family by her side
Lubin, an American-Israeli from Dunwoody, Georgia, a small suburb of Atlanta, began her journey to Israel in 2021 as a new immigrant and “lone soldier” and bravely joined the IDF without her family by her side.
She lived in Kibbutz Sa’ad, a religious community in southern Israel.
Her many friends remember Lubin as a person who radiated kindness and warmth – with a “fiery side” that revealed her unwavering determination and bravery.
Yehudis Braunstein, a close friend, told that Lubin was an incredible person who never succumbed to peer pressure and was “tenacious” in doing the right thing.
In addition to her external toughness, her friends emphasized her heart full of warmth and love
She was admired for her cheerful demeanor, strict discipline and leadership skills
She highlighted Lubin’s strong fashion sense, which featured vibrant and edgy looks and left a lasting impression on those who knew her.
“I still remember her style – she wore the edgiest clothes, loud and colorful with a twist,” Braunstein told .
In addition to her outward toughness, friends said her heart was full of warmth and love.
“You might think she was tough, but once she started talking to you, there was just warmth and love,” Braunstein added. “She was the kindest soul and her heart touched everyone around her.”
Lubin was also known for her remarkable singing talent.
Her friend Kayla E. remembered Lubin’s beautiful voice and a song she sang during their time together at camp.
“Rose was so incredibly talented and had a soothingly beautiful voice. Rose wrote a song at camp and used to sing it for all of us,” she told .
In addition to her IDF service, Lubin was known for her remarkable singing talent and fashion sense
Many friends paid tribute to Lubin on social media following the tragic news of her death, expressing their love and admiration for the 20-year-old
Lubin (second from left) in a photo with her bunkmates from Camp Negeela
Another friend, Tamar Zinnar, emphasized Lubin’s ability to make others feel good and inspire everyone to be their best.
“She’s the kind of person who wants to be better around her.” She was so pure. “Purity,” if I had to choose a word, “pure” would be the word I would choose,” Zinnar said.
Lubin was admired for her cheerful demeanor, strict discipline and leadership skills.
“She tried so hard and was so disciplined.” She had this fiery side to her and this passionate side to her, but she was also so humble and so down to earth – friendly and personable. I really admire her a lot. Your legacy will live on forever.’
Lubin’s presence was a source of motivation for her friends
Fundraising efforts were launched following Lubin’s murder
“Because I understand what the world has lost and because I understand the light it has brought into the world, I feel really motivated and feel like I have a responsibility to bring my light into the world.”
Natalie A. told that Lubin’s welcoming nature helped her overcome fears as the “new girl” at camp.
Lubin’s friendship and support provided comfort during a difficult time in her life.
“We would sneak out of the bunks and sit on the basketball court when no one else was there and talk for hours,” she remembers. “She held my hand while I cried and told her how I was feeling, and she opened up to me – which also made me feel less alone and seen.”
“She had the most beautiful, soothing voice that I could listen to for hours. I still hear her voice in my head, and it’s a voice I really never want to hear again.”
Shira P. praised Rose for her admirable ability to make everyone feel accepted and loved for who they were.
Shira said she was so grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know Lubin again this summer at the Shuk in Tel Aviv, where they discussed Rose’s dream of serving Israel.
“She told me how proud she was to serve Israel and that she was finally fulfilling her dream,” she said. “Rose has done more in her 20 years than many and inspired so many people.” She is a true inspiration and motivation for us all. May she rest in peace.’
Just days before her murder, Lubin appeared in a video her cousin filmed on the Friday before the Sabbath. In it, a happy Rose smiled and waved at the camera to send love to her family in America and thank them for their thoughts and prayers.
Dunwood High School honored Lubin, a 2021 graduate, on Instagram on Tuesday.
“This morning we received very unfortunate news and would like to take this moment to honor our former wildcat, friend and student Rose Lubin, who lost her life protecting the country she loves and its citizens,” it said the declaration.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the Lubin family as we all mourn the loss of a wonderful and radiant soul.” She is a hero to many and her courage inspires us to follow in her courageous footsteps. May she rest in peace.’
Armed Israeli police gathered at the scene as passers-by crowded around the site where the terrorist was shot dead in Jerusalem’s Old City in 2021
There have been several knife attacks at Herod’s Gate in the past.
In 2021, a terrorist stabbed an Israeli civilian and attempted to attack police before being fatally shot by Israeli security forces outside Jerusalem’s Old City.
The attacker stabbed a man near the Damascus Gate and then “tried to stab a border police officer,” a police statement said.
“The police neutralized the stabber,” it continued.
In 2016, two Palestinian men who carried out attacks on Israeli forces were shot dead in the same area.
In the first attack, police said they had neutralized the terrorist after a man stabbed two officers in the back outside Jerusalem’s walled Old City.
Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said: “The terrorist attacked a police team from behind, stabbed them and slightly injured them. The team responded with gunfire and neutralized the terrorist.”
Just last week, a Hamas leader issued a chilling warning that the terror group’s October 7 massacre would happen “again and again” until Israel was “annihilated” – and vowed that the terrorists would pay any price to achieve their goals to reach.
Ghazi Hamad, Hamas’ deputy foreign minister, cynically told a broadcaster that the terrorists “did not want to hurt any civilians” during their bloody rampage through southern Israel in which more than 1,400 Israelis were murdered in cold blood.
He said the terror group had only done so because of “complications on the ground” – a dark reference to the Nova festival massacre in which scores of innocent young people were shot, mutilated and kidnapped.
In the barbaric October 7 attacks, Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza and sent militants across the border, killing 1,400 people and taking around 240 hostage.