A British-born rabbi has launched a campaign to raise money for the family of the Druze policeman who was killed during the terror attack on a Jerusalem synagogue.
Zidan Seif was fatally wounded as he rushed to the defence of worshippers at the Kehilat Bnei Torah Synagogue. He was among five people murdered in the attack last Tuesday by two terrorists who were killed by police at the scene.
Rabbi Samuel Lebens said he was struck by the bravery Mr Seif showed in the face of the brutal assault and felt the Jewish community owed him a debt of gratitude.
He said: "I was struck by the thought that vile antisemites were willing to slaughter Jews in pure and righteous prayer, and a righteous gentile was willing to risk his life to save them.
He added: "Zidan wasn't an outsider who was willing to risk his life for us. He was a Druze who was committed to the state of Israel.
"When a person, and a community, throws their lot in with us, we have a special responsibility to throw our lot in with them, to show them our love and gratitude."
Rabbi Lebens, who lived in London before making aliyah, launched the appeal with British charity One Family UK. The Zidan Seif Fund has already raised £2,300 which will go his widow and four-month-old daughter.
Rabbi Lebens said: "We're hoping that as many people as possible will respond, so that One Family UK can set up a trust fund for Zidan's daughter, and provide meaningful support and assistance to his wife, as they come to terms with life in the aftermath of their horrendous loss."
Donations can be sent to www.onefamilyuk.org/fundraising-page/the-zidan-seif-fund
● UK cabinet minister Francis Maude attended the shivah for Avraham Goldberg, the British Charedi rabbi who was one of the victims of the attack. Mr Maude, who was in Israel for talks on Anglo-Israel relations, said it was "especially horrific that such brutal and appalling acts happened in a holy place of worship".