The four were shot dead in a car. The Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The families and friends of the victims gathered around the bodies at the synagogue in the settlement of Beit Hagai to pay their final respects. "I promise to raise my family and my siblings. I promise that we will all remain together. We’ll get through this. I'm sorry that I didn't spend enough time with you," said the Ames' eldest son, one of their six children.
Rabbi Dov Lior of Kiryat Arba eulogized the victims saying that "this is a grave tragedy for the families, for the people of Israel and for the state. God, avenge the spilled blood of your servants."
"There is an army, which must be used," rabbi Lior continued. "The mistake is to think that an agreement can be reached with these terrorists. Every Jew wants peace, but these evildoers want to destroy us. We need to give them the right of return and return them to the countries from which they came."
Kochava's husband, Momi Even Haim, lamented the loss of his wife, saying "My Kochava, my love, my partner, how will I say goodbye to you?"
"I'm afraid," he continued. "I just want you to stay. Monsters, cowards, to shoot innocent civilians – only a coward would think that shooting an innocent woman was a legitimate form of warfare."
"You and I are embarking on separate journeys. But you are not alone – you are with a group of righteous people with whom you shared a final ride," Momi added, referring to the other victims of the attack. "I want you to know one important thing: thousands of angels are accompanying you, my righteous one. I remain behind with a giant hole in my heart."
Avishai Schindler's uncle, rabbi Zvi Shalva, said "during the month of Elul we get closer to God, but he wanted you closer than the rest of us. All your acquaintances, neighbors and students felt your grace and humility."
Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin, who participated in the funeral procession, said "the enemy can't stand to see Israel's achievements; they can't stand seeing children playing in our streets. In the eyes of the enemy, there is no Green Line. There is no difference between the occupation of 1976 and that of 1948."
"You, my brothers, are pioneers and will take part in the building of the country," Rivlin added, addressing the settlers of the region. "This is a resounding Zionist response. Another neighborhood, another building, another life, another holiness."
Yitzhak and Tali Ames were to be buried in Jerusalem, and Kochava Even Haim and Avishai Schindler were to be buried in Segula.
