Jerusalem terror attack victim Eliyahu David Kay was remembered as the “best of the best” as thousands of mourners gathered for his funeral yesterday.

The 26-year-old Western Wall tour guide had been killed by a Hamas gunman who wounded four others before he was shot dead.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai paid tribute to Kay, who had emigrated from South Africa in 2016 and served as an IDF paratrooper.

He told mourners in Jerusalem: “Eli’s story is the story of Israel at its best. To love the land, to come to it, to give everything for it.

“Your father said yesterday that God only takes the good ones from us too early, and you were the best of the best.”

Vowing to defy the terror threat, Mr Shai added: “The people of Israel promise to stand tall, grow and prosper.

“We will ensure that the state of Israel remains an open and proud nation state of the Jewish people.”

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau was also at the funeral at the Har Hamenuchot Cemetery, along with Culture Minister Chili Tropper.

Eli’s brother Kasriel Kay said: “There’s no reason to be sad for him. He will be at peace.

“My great-grandfather Eliyahu is waiting for him, King David is waiting for him, and they’ll take care of him."

Eli’s father Avi told Channel 12 news: “Eli was just a maverick. He was an amazing kid.

“From when he was very young, he was different, he was energetic, he had his own mind, he was super bright.

"And he simply lived his life with just energy, doing what he felt was correct, always guided by his moral conviction and his moral compass.”

Eli Kay had been on his way to work when he was fatally wounded by Hamas gunman Fadi Abu Shkhaydam before the killer was shot dead by police.

Hamas has claimed responsibility for his actions, saying the “heroic operation” was a warning to “stop the attacks on our lands and our holy sites”.