Rivlin qith parents of Hadas Malka
Rivlin qith parents of Hadas MalkaMark Neiman/GPO

President Reuven Rivlin paid a shiva Tuesday visit to the family of Sgt. Hadas Malka, who was murdered in a terrorist attack at Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem Friday night.

The president hugged her parents, David and Geula, and said, "When you salute our young heroine, our wonderful child, the nation of Israel saluted you."

The president added: "It is important to preserve Jerusalem and not just to be vigilant, and we have been on guard for three thousand years and will continue to stand. Hadas and her comrades make everyone in Jerusalem feel safe as they go about their daily lives."

"Hadas was a basketball player and played for the team at the Peres Center for Peace with Palestinian girls and she loved it," said Hadas's father.

Rivlin told him: "She knew we had to be guarded and saved and that we had to admit that we were here."

Hadas's parents said she was stubborn and fought to serve in the Border Police, to be a combat soldier. "She insisted on being a squad commander, instructing fighters," her father said.

"You touched the hearts of all the people of Israel and I pray that we will make you happier," the president said. Before leaving, he looked at a picture of Hadas and told her parents: "This is the pride of the unit."