Alexey Lupalo
"...And our grief is shared"
Alexey Lupalo, who died on the night of June 2nd, was an illegal immigrant. One of those whom we tend to overlook, and when noticed, quickly deport. He arrived in Israel on a tourist visa to earn some money. But tourists are not allowed to work here... This young man had a family in Bnei Brak: a father, mother, and sister. Not repatriates, but just like other tourists. With long-expired visas. Imagine what they felt upon learning of Alexey's death. It is terrifying to lose a son and brother. Even more terrifying to know that they will inevitably be "tracked down". And sent back to Ukraine on the first available flight. Nothing else was expected by Lyuba, Ivan, and Larisa.
They were "tracked down" very quickly. Registered — not with the police, not with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but with "Bituach Leumi". They paid for the transportation of Alexey's coffin back home. Provided one and a half thousand dollars for the funeral. Assigned compensation — 21 thousand shekels. And a lifelong pension — one and a half thousand shekels a month. A social worker was sent — to talk to the grieving family in Russian, so that the bereaved understood that they were not strangers here. Because grief is shared.
And at the airport to see off the coffin came the director general of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare — a man from the Shas party in a black velvet kippah. He was not obliged to do this, especially since his department had just adopted a new plan to combat illegal immigration. But he came. And he did not stand aside, as a state representative should, but approached Ivan, hugged him, and kissed him...
We often regard the state as something inhumane, soulless, hostile. But the state is made up of people. And it can be humane, responsive, and generous when people behave humanely. This is one such case.
Eli Weiss. Special Edition of "Vesti"
This is what Alyosha's mother wanted to say
Aleksei Lupalo — 16.5 years old, a tourist from Ukraine. We came to Israel from the city of Komsomolsk, Dnipropetrovsk region.
Alyosha was born on October 15, 1984. Father — Ivan, born in 1955. Mother — Lyubov, born in 1956. Sister — Larisa, born in 1976.
Alyosha graduated from secondary school in Komsomolsk-on-the-Dnipro with excellent marks. He participated in regional Olympiads in physics, chemistry, and biology. He received awards as a winner. He was interested in computers and was involved in athletics, swimming, wushu, football, and basketball. He treated his parents and the elderly with respect and had a strong sense of compassion. He had many friends, and was a kind, caring friend and companion. He was always quick to help everyone.
In June 2000, we came to Israel as a family as tourists. Alyosha worked in a restaurant at the age of 16.5 to continue his studies. He dreamed of becoming a lawyer.
On June 1, 2001, at the Russian disco "Dolphi," he was killed by a terrorist. He died instantly from severe injuries.
My dear son, we promise that for your death the insane and inhuman tribe will answer.
At present, the Lupalo family lives in Israel, in the city of Ramat Gan.
