Israeli Consulate: Connecticut native Elan Ganeles fatally shot by Palestinian terrorists in the West Bank
NEW YORK - A recent Columbia graduate and Connecticut native is the latest victim in a wave of violence in the West Bank.
A vigil at Columbia University honored Elan Ganeles, a sustainable development and neuroscience double major who graduated last May.
"Because of how much he gave in his time, he just touched so many people," friend Dan Golde said.
The 27-year-old was killed Monday night in the West Bank, near the Palestinian city of Jericho. A representative from the Israeli Consulate says he was driving when two Palestinian terrorists pulled up to his car and opened fire.
"Fourteen Jews have been murdered in Israel over the last month by Palestinian terrorists," Israeli Consulate spokesperson Itay Milner said.
Milner says Ganeles was targeted because he was Jewish.
Described as loyal, down-to-earth and funny, Ganeles was in Israel to attend a friend's wedding.
"His parents, two physicians, just with a love towards other people that carried on to Elan and his two brothers," one speaker said at Tuesday's vigil.
"Elan Ganeles was a New Yorker. His loss is a tragedy. His generation deserves a world free of terror, a world where we stand up in the face of hate and reject the forces who divide us," Mayor Eric Adams wrote on Twitter. "We stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel today. We stand for peace."
"I am incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Elan Ganeles, who grew up in West Hartford. These attacks are devastating and shocking. My condolences go out to his family and loved ones," said Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.
A bright light that had his entire life ahead of him, Ganeles was no stranger to the Holy Land. As a dual citizen, he served in the Israeli Defense Force from 2016-2018.
"Throughout his service, he was always very welcoming, always was willing to help others and, of course, very funny," one speaker said.
"He was so eccentric in the best possible way, and that's what gave him that magnetic personality that drew so many people to him," one friend said.
"We'll miss you, Elan. We'll miss you forever. I can't even believe I'm saying that," friend Shalom Azar said.
The Israeli Consulate flew his family to Israel for his funeral.
The Orthodox Young Israel Synagogue in West Hartford, where Ganeles grew up, started a fundraiser for his family and is offering grief counselors for whoever may need it.
