Simcha Ron

Apr 28, 2001 - Simcha Ron, 60, of Nahariya, was found stabbed to death in Kfar Ba'aneh, near Carmiel in the Galilee.

Simcha Ron, who spoke fluent Arabic, had ties with Israeli Arabs in the Galilee and with Palestinians from the territories. He assisted many of them, who turned to him for help in bureaucratic matters, such as national insurance.

Ron had apparently been visiting Arab friends in the area. His body was found the following morning near his car in the Galilee village of Kfar Ba'aneh with multiple stab wounds. A note found at the scene of the murder indicated that it was a terrorist attack, and not criminally motivated.

Six members of a Hizbullah-linked Palestinian terrorist cell responsible for the murder were arrested in July. The murder was the initiation rite into the organization.

Ron's daughter, Hagit, related that her father believed in peace with the Arabs, lived among them, and trusted them.

Simcha Ron was buried in Nahariya. He is survived by his four children.