Israeli-American woman, 20, murdered by 16-year-old in Jerusalem

An Israeli-American woman, who defended a kibbutz during the October 7 massacre, has been stabbed to death by a 16-year-old boy in Jerusalem’s Old City. 

Sgt. 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, according to Israel Police. 

Police fatally shot the attacker and arrested another person on suspicion of aiding him when they arrived at the scene of the attack. 

The two wounded officers, both in their 20s, were treated by Magen David Adom paramedics, before they were rushed to Hadassah-University Medical Center in Jerusalem for treatment. 

Lubin was in critical condition following the attack and eventually died as a result of her injuries, while the other officer had been lightly wounded. 

The attack occurred near an Israel Police station in Jerusalem, the Israeli capital, according to the Jerusalem Post. 

United Hatzalah volunteer Elad Revanseri said when he arrived at the scene, a  passersby said that there was ‘a terrorist who was neutralized.’ 

‘We provided initial treatment to a woman in her 20s who was seriously injured and a young man who sustained light injuries,’ he said. ‘They were then transported to the hospital for further treatment.’ 

Lubin, an American Israeli hailing from Dunwoody, Georgia, a small suburb of Atlanta, embarked on her journey to Israel in 2021 as a new immigrant and a ‘lone soldier,’ bravely joining the IDF without her family by her side. 

She lived in Kibbutz Sa’ad, a religious community in the southern region of Israel.

Lubin is remembered by her many friends as a person who radiated kindness and warmth – with a ‘fiery side,’ that revealed her unwavering determination and bravery. 

Yehudis Braunstein, a close friend, described her as an incredible human being who never succumbed to peer pressure and was ‘tenacious’ about doing the right thing. 

‘Rose was an incredible human being,’ Braunstein said. ‘She never succumbed to peer pressure, was tenacious about doing the right thing, and was a leader for everyone around her.’ 

She emphasized Lubin’s distinctive fashion sense, characterized by vibrant and edgy looks, that left a lasting impression on those who knew her. 

‘I still remember her style – she wore the funkiest clothes, loud and colorful with an edge to them,’ Braunstein said.

In addition to her outward toughness, friends said her heart was full of warmth and love. 

‘You would think she was as tough as nails, but the minute she would start talking to you, there was only 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 camp friend, Kayla E., reminisced about Rose’s beautiful voice and a song she would sing during their time together. 

‘Rose was so unbelievably talented and had the most comforting beautiful voice. Rose wrote a song in camp and would always sing to all of us,’ she said. 

‘The lyrics were: Shooting for stars wasn’t all that easy. If you reach for the sky, you just might make it. All that it takes is a little bit of faith, as long as you remember that you’re beautiful,’ she added. 

Another friend, Tamar Zinnar, highlighted Lubin’s ability to make others feel comfortable and inspire all to be their best selves. 

‘I remember when I first came to camp and I didn’t know anyone and I felt really, really, out of place and Rose, just being in her presence, never made anyone feel uncomfortable or judge,’ Zinnar said.

Lubin’s presence was a source of motivation to her friends. 

‘She’s the type of person that when you are in her presence, you want to be better. She was so pure. Pure, if I had to pick one word, pure is the word I would pick,’ Zinnar added.

Lubin was admired for her joyful demeanor, rigorous discipline, and leadership qualities. 

Even as a teen, she demonstrated her determination by waking up at the crack of dawn and encouraging her bunkmates to join her in morning workouts.

‘She pushed herself so hard and was so disciplined. She had this fiery side about her and this passionate side about her, but she also was so humble and so down to earth – kind and relatable. I really really admire her. Her legacy will always live on.’ 

‘Right now, Because I understand what the world lost and because I understand the light that she brought into the world, I really feel so motivated and feel like I have a responsibility to bring my light to the world – whatever that means – and to fill that and do anything that I can to bring more light in.’

Natalie A. recalled Lubin’s welcoming nature helping her overcome anxiety as the ‘new girl’ at camp. 

‘When I arrived at camp I didn’t know many people and I felt scared to be the ‘new girl’ I was worried no one would want to be friends with me,’ Natalie, who was going though a rough patch in life at the time, recalled. 

‘Thank God Rose was in my bunk because the second I met her she shone a bright light on my life and we instantly connected. She held on to me and showed me the ways through Camp Nageela, not making me feel like an outsider for a second.’

‘Slowly we became closer and closer and she had a sense of comfort to her that made me trust her with my life and open up to her about things I was going through.’

Lubin’s friendship and support provided comfort during a difficult period in her life.

‘I remember we would sneak out of the bunks and go sit on the basketball court when no one else was there and just talk for hours. She would hold my hand as I cried and told her how I felt, and she opened up to me also making me feel less alone and making me feel seen.’ 

‘I remember she had an iPod with a bunch of different music and before we went to sleep she would put one earpod in my ear and one in hers and she would just sing, Natalie recalled. 

‘She had the most beautiful comforting voice that I could listen to for hours, I still hear her voice in my head, and its a voice I truly never ever want to.’

Shira P. praised Rose for her admirable ability to make everyone feel accepted and loved for who they were. 

‘She made everyone around her feel comfortable and accepted for who they are. She only had love to give and positivity to spread,’ she said. 

She remembered Rose’s unwavering positivity and pure spirit. 

‘I really can’t say this about a lot of other people but seriously I have never heard anything bad come out of her mouth ever. She was so pure and spiritual.’

Shira said she was so grateful that she had the chance to reconnect with Lubin at the shuk in Tel Aviv this summer, where they talked about Rose’s dream of serving Israel. 

‘She was telling me how proud she was to serve for Israel and she is finally fulfilling her dream,’ she said. ‘Rose did more than many and inspired so many people in her 20 years of life. She is a true inspiration and motivation for us all. May she rest in peace.’

Just says before her murder, Lubin was featured in a video her cousin filmed before the Sabbath on Friday, where a happy Rose smiled and waved at the camera, sending love to her family in America and thanking them for their thoughts and prayers. 

Dunwood High School honored Lubin, a 2021 graduate, on Instagram 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,’ the statement read. 

‘Our hearts and prayers go out to the Lubin family as we all mourn the loss of a wonderful and bright soul. She is a hero to many and her bravery inspires us to follow in her courageous footsteps. May she rest in peace.’ 

There have been multiple stabbing attacks at Herod’s gate in the past. 

In 2021, a terrorist stabbed an Israeli civilian and tried to attack police before he was fatally shot by Israeli security forces outside the Old City in Jerusalem. 

The assailant stabbed a man near the city’s Damascus Gate and then ‘attempted to stab a border police officer,’ police said in a statement.

‘Police neutralized the stabber,’ it added.

In 2016, two Palestinian men carrying out attacks on Israeli forces were shot dead in the same area. 

In the first attack, Police said they neutralized the terrorist after a man stabbed two officers from behind outside Jerusalem’s walled Old City.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said: ‘The terrorist attacked a police team from behind, stabbed and lightly wounded them. The team responded by gunfire and neutralised the terrorist.’