"I Heard Chori Yell and Thought He Was Startled; Only Later I Received the Bitter News"

"We are conversing now after a night of almost no sleep," Police Chief Amos Besheari tells me, a partner of Officer First Sergeant Amir Chori, of blessed memory, who was killed in the Bnei Brak attack over seven months ago. Today (Monday) Besheari is due to receive the Medal of Courage for his brave actions in neutralizing the terrorist Dia Hamarsheh, which ended the murderous attack that cruelly claimed the lives of five citizens.

In fact, this is the first time Besheari has been revealed by full name. The police preferred to give him a period to process what happened, and until this week his name was unknown. "I am very excited about receiving the medal," he notes, "and at the same time, I also feel that all the events from that day flood back over me, suddenly I remember more and more details, especially about Officer Amir Chori, my good friend and close partner. I have no doubt he was the one who should have received the medal instead of me. I’m so sorry he is not with us."

"The Terrorist Looked Us in the Eyes"

Besheari, 43, is married and a father of three. For the past 13 years, he has served in the Israeli Police. "Initially, I served four years in regular patrols and for the last nine years I have been with the motorcycle unit," he details. "I am very connected to the work and feel every day that I am contributing to the country anew. Already during the recruitment phase, I explained that my aspiration is to help bring change. That’s also why I was so happy to be assigned to the Bnei Brak-Ramat Gan area, a region with people of so many shades and styles. I feel that serving in this city is a special mission."

Did you take into account that you'd be exposed to risks at work?

"As someone who works in the motorcycle unit, I know anew every day that I am risking myself. Not in terms of security, but by the very nature of the role. The work is very difficult, and almost every shift there is an accident. I also took into account that there could be exceptional events, and I prepared myself for that. I know that most Bnei Brak residents never imagined a situation where a terrorist could come to the city, but we precisely prepared ourselves for such a scenario, and I believe the way we acted indeed proved we were ready."

He takes a deep breath before returning to that difficult day. "I was then on duty in Ramat Gan when at 19:58 we received a report about an unusual event of an armed person wandering in Bnei Brak and shooting people. I immediately realized it was an attack, I immediately alerted my partner – Amir Chori, and together we headed for the event. Chori hadn’t heard the details yet, but during the ride, I informed him that it was already known it was a terrorist, and we need to prepare for that. I remember myself hitting Chori's back, trying to hasten him, as both of us prepared for facing the terrorist head-on."

"Chori had very fast and skilled driving. We traveled together on the same motorcycle countless times and always, I felt safe with him, it was clear to me that we would arrive first, and indeed, we did. Within four minutes, we made our way from Ramat Gan to Bnei Brak and arrived at the scene with great noise. It was intentional, we always worked in sync, and we understood that once we made noise, the terrorist would realize we were there, and he would either stop the killing and flee or focus on us, allowing citizens to escape. This thought was logical, and indeed everything worked according to plan, more precisely almost according to plan. Because one thing we didn’t prepare for – the terrorist hid in the bushes and thus surprised us, and in a moment stood in front of us. Chori and I immediately noticed him and aimed our weapons at him, but at that exact moment, he also managed to aim his weapon at us. He was a fraction of a second faster, but for Chori, it was fatal."

Besheari notes that he cannot forget the tremendous sound of the gunfire. "I heard Chori shout 'Ay' and then fall, but I didn’t realize he was hit. I thought he was startled by the gunfire sound. Meanwhile, I saw the terrorist charging at us, so I leaped from the motorcycle, aiming my gun and charging at him, exactly as always taught in the police and army, striving for contact and neutralized him. Afterward, I took the weapon from his hands, certain Chori was right behind me. Only at the end of the action did I look to the right and saw Chori lying on the road, the motorcycle on him, his eyes staring, pupils moving, but he wasn’t speaking. There was a lot of blood on his shoulder, and only then did I realize he was probably shot. I tried to treat him, but as I am not a medic professionally, I immediately called the rescue forces, and indeed they arrived within seconds. Since then, I recall myself shouting at the top of my lungs. People who saw the video documenting the event thought Chori was the one screaming. I wish he could make a sound, then I would know he was okay."

Besheari notes that from the very first moment he realized the situation was not good, but tried to remain optimistic. "I couldn’t bear the thought that my partner and good friend could be murdered in the attack," he says, "so I hoped for the best and for great miracles. However, after about 40 minutes, I was informed he passed away at the hospital, and then I broke down."

Respect Every Person

As Besheari notes, the relationship between him and Amir Chori was not an ordinary one. "We were very close friends," he emphasizes, "I know his family well and have a great respect for them. They are Christian Arabs residing in Nazareth Illit, are very connected to the Jewish people, and always wish to help. After Amir was murdered, I went to their home and sat with the family, I saw how amid the great sorrow, they received me with such nobility, asking the right questions and trying to give me a good feeling, even though I know it is hard for them that I was with their son on the same motorcycle – I survived, and he did not.

"More than half a year has passed, and we still maintain a close relationship, I visit them frequently and feel they are like my second family. Every time we meet, the father hugs me, and it especially moves me that he is the one trying to strengthen me. They are such special people; every time anew, I tell them that I owe my life to their son. He saved me with his body. It is not just that I hung his picture in my house and wrote on it: 'my bulletproof vest'. He sacrificed his life for me and others. After he passed, many expressed that he was a 'Hero of Israel', and precisely that's how I feel about him."

And what is the strongest thing you take from him for life?

"The respect he gave to each person. Since we were on the same motorcycle together, I encountered this often. He truly respected every person, regardless of who they were and what they did. I think it’s the strongest thing each of us should take from Amir. Simply to love and appreciate everyone."