Metro Atlanta woman serving in Jerusalem killed in Israel-Hamas War
20-year-old Dunwoody woman killed in Israel
An Atlanta family is now being touched by tragedy as the ongoing war in the Middle East continues. Twenty-year-old Rose Lubin died Monday defending Israel. She graduated from Dunwoody High School in 2021. Her family is getting ready to make the several thousand-mile journey to say their goodbyes.
DUNWOODY, Ga. - A Dunwoody native who was serving with the Israel Defense Forces was stabbed to death in Jerusalem's Old City Monday morning, Israel police say.
Sgt. Rose Ida Lubin, 20, was raised in metro Atlanta, but more than two years ago she packed her bags and moved to Israel where she joined the Border Police.
"Shabbat shalom everyone," she said in a video recorded Friday.
Dressed in her Israeli Border Police uniform, Sergeant Lubin was all smiles Friday.
Sgt. Rose Ida Lubin (Courtesy of Friends of the IDF)
"I love everyone," she said in the video. "Thank you for the support."
That video is the final known video of Lubin. Just three days after her cousin filmed it, she was killed on Monday while on duty in the Old City of Jerusalem.
A 16-year-old Palestinian attacked her and another officer on patrol by Herod's Gate, according to the Jerusalem Post. Israeli officials have called it a terrorist attack.
Writing on Instagram, Dunwoody High School paid tribute to Lubin, saying she lost her life protecting the country she loves and its citizens."
"She is a hero to many and her bravery inspires us to follow in her courageous footsteps. May she rest in peace," the school wrote.
Gov. Brian Kemp also sent his respects to Lubin and her family, saying that her "courage and commitment to fighting evil is an inspiration to us all."
"While the horrors of war may seem far away, moments like these remind us why it is paramount to stand alongside our friends in Israel as they fight against terror in their land," Kemp wrote.
Israeli Security forces took intensive safety measures after 2 Israeli policemen were wounded in a knife attack at the Al-Sahira Gate of East Jerusalem. Two Israeli border police officers were injured in a stabbing attack in occupied East Jerusalem,
"We knew she was in a dangerous place," said Rick Halpern, Lubin’s great-uncle. "Probably the most dangerous assignment in all of Israel."
Halpern says she was stationed near the Damascus Gate.
"She wanted very much to be there, she was a tremendously dedicated and committed person, and she wanted to be in that location," Halpern said.
Lubin graduated from Dunwoody High School in 2021. She then moved to Israel where she felt it was her calling to serve.
Lubin was home earlier this year and spoke at the friends of the IDF Annual gala about her job.
"Generations dream to arrive in Jerusalem, and we have the honor to protect her," Sgt. Lubin said in May.
Lubin was considered a "lone soldier" because she was a volunteer from abroad.
The friends of the IDF knew her well. They offered support to her and about 30 other "lone soldiers" from the Atlanta area who are enlisted in the Israeli Defense Forces.
"Rose was an incredibly beloved soldier and an incredibly beloved friend to everyone who knew her, to her commanders, to her fellow soldiers, to her friends, kids like my daughter who made Alliyah together with Rose," said Steve Weil, CEO of Friends of the IDF.
Lubin’s family says she died a hero.
"She was very committed to making sure that things were safe for this generation," Halpern said.
Lubin’s parents are on their way to Israel for her funeral which is set for Thursday.
The teen accused of stabbing Lubin was killed by other officers, reports say.