32-year-old Or Ascher, who was severely wounded in the recent terrorist attack on the trendy Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv March 9, passed away after a week and a half in which he was hospitalized in the Ichilov Hospital of Tel Aviv. Or was talking to his partner while getting ready for the wedding he was supposed to go to, and on the way to the celebration he was shot and mortally injured by a terrorist along with his two friends.
Natalie Ascher, Or's mother, paid tribute to him: "A light [ Orโs name means 'light' in Hebrew] of a rare quality, who showered nothing but goodness, love and giving on everyone who crossed his path, passed today." She thanked the Ichilov Hospital, Or's friends, and the people of Israel. Ascher's partner, Lee Menachem, also paid tribute to him in a post on her Instagram account: "You came into my life when I lost hope in love. I take comfort in knowing the happiness we experienced in the last few months. You left here with a heart that knows true love. I promise to live the way you would want me to live, in your length and not in your shadow."
More context if needed/missed:https://t.co/5F7jJLI1Gc
โ Adam Albilya - ืืื ืืืืืืื (@AdamAlbilya) March 20, 2023
"Everyone who was exposed to him fell in love with him from the first moment," Nimrod Cohen, Or's childhood friend, said of him. "The best friend of everyone around him, always putting his environment before him, no matter where he is in the world, what time, and what day. He fought until the last moment as only suits him and the impossible goals he always set for himself and managed to achieve."
President Isaac Herzog said, "My heart is torn by the death of Or Ascher who was mortally wounded in the attack in Dizengof. A few days ago I spoke with his brave mother and together with the entire people of Israel, I prayed for his recovery. I send my condolences to his family, his partner, and his loved ones at this difficult time."
The tragic death of Or Ascher reinforces what we already know: the differences between the two cultures are stark. After an attack, one societyโs celebrating terror supporters hand out sweets. The other? A grieving family donates its loved oneโs organs. Night & day. Evil & good. pic.twitter.com/uNLgpy4cB8
โ Marilynne Friedman (@marilynnefriedm) March 21, 2023
Prof. Roni Gamzo, director of the Ichilov Medical Center, thanked Or's family for choosing to donate his organs after his death. "Or came to us after prolonged resuscitation in the field which continued in the hospital and was immediately taken to an operating room where against all odds, the doctors managed to stabilize his condition. Unfortunately, the intensity of the injury was fatal and after a heroic struggle of many days, in which we saw an Iron Man fight for his life, we had to determine his death," he said.
Ascher's organs have been used to save five lives.
