San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria on Monday released the following statement on Ofir Libstein, the mayor of San Diego’s longtime partner region of Sha’ar HaNegev, who was among more than 900 Israelis murdered in the Hamas surprise attack during Simchat Torah.
Dear Neighbor,
San Diego stands with the people of Israel in the wake of the brutal and horrific terrorist attacks this past weekend.
Our hearts are with the families of the innocent civilians killed in the attacks and all those in our own community suffering the agony of waiting for news of loved ones in danger.
I am personally mourning the death of Mayor Ofir Libstein, head of the San Diego sister city Sha’ar HaNegev in southern Israel. Mayor Libstein was killed defending his community.
San Diego shares a deep connection with Sha’ar HaNegev. With the support of the Jewish Federation of San Diego, our two border cities’ formal, 20-year relationship has resulted in diplomatic exchanges, philanthropic aid, and other important efforts.
Mayor Libstein visited San Diego in 2021 to tend to our sister city relationship. I was pleased to welcome him to City Hall and to talk about the many advantages and challenges our two border cities share.
Last year, Mayor Libstein published an opinion piece in the San Diego Union-Tribune that celebrated his community and his plan for a cross-border employment, training and a medical center, an ambitious plan by a truly visionary leader.
I was fortunate to see Mayor Libstein’s plan in person when I visited Sha’ar HaNegev with other members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors earlier this year. His enthusiasm for building connections between his city and neighbors in Gaza was inspiring.
Mayor Libstein was a friend, and the news of his death is absolutely heartbreaking. I offer San Diego’s deepest condolences to his family and the people of the community he loved so much and served so well.
My condolences extend to all the innocent civilians whose lives have been forever changed by the senseless terrorist attacks by Hamas.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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Preceding provided by the office of Mayor Todd Gloria