https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/diamond-factory-manager-killed/
Diamond Factory Manager Killed in Hamas Terror Attacks
By Rob Bates | October 12, 2023
Itzik Siton, the manager of Grandview Klein’s diamond cutting factory in Windhoek, Namibia, was among the 1,200 Israelis killed in the Hamas terror attacks on Israel that began on Oct. 7.
At press time, no other person who worked in the diamond industry was known to have been killed or taken hostage in the unprecedented spate of violence.
Siton was killed—along with his wife Chana, son Tal, and sister-in-law Pessy—while on vacation at Be’eri, an Israeli village that saw heavy casualties during the violence. Siton, who lived in Windhoek and was in his 70s, was first reported missing on Saturday,
“Our team is Namibia is devastated,” says Grandview president Moshe Klein. “Itzik was a kind, gentle man who wouldn’t hurt a fly. We have a big hole in our hearts, but we will carry on.
“We believe in love, humanity, and hope. Hamas have only darkness and evil. We will prevail. We have prevailed before and we will prevail again.”
The attacks have been shattering to the industry in Israel, and currently are hurting the ability to trade, says Israel Diamond Exchange president Boaz Moldawsky.
“It is very difficult to do exports and imports because there is only one airline, El Al, working. Everything is very slow. But it will eventually come back.”
He says the Israeli exchange is currently open but not as crowded as usual. (Security measures restrict attendance on the floor to 50 people.) And while no members of the exchange are believed to have been hurt or killed, several had family members caught up in the tragedy.
A 22 year old, the son of one exchange member and grandson of another, was killed; that funeral was held yesterday. The daughter of another exchange member was also killed; that funeral is being held today. The son of another exchange member is currently missing.
World Federation of Diamond Bourses president Yoram Dvash says yesterday’s service was attended by 8,000 people—a symbol of how unified Israel currently is, after months of political division.
He says diamantaires are slowly returning to their offices, though selling gemstones is not the main thing on their minds right now.
“No one has the energy to work. No one is in the mood to make business right now. It’s all become unimportant.”
Following the attacks, industry groups send out statements of support and condolences.
“We unequivocally state our support for the people and the State of Israel and categorically condemn Hamas and their allies for the horrendous atrocities they have perpetrated, the countless murders committed, and the hundreds of hostages taken,” said Ronald Vanderlinden, president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, in a statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those innocent souls wherever they may be, who are caught in the crossfire of violence beyond their control.”
U.S. groups the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association, the Diamond Dealers Club, the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association, and the American Gem Trade Association issued a joint statement saying they “stand in full support of Israel and our Israeli friends, family, and colleagues during these trying times.”
The Rapaport Group said in a statement: “We support the right of Israel to defend itself and pray for the thousands of innocent people attacked by Hamas and for the innocent Palestinians who will suffer because of Hamas’s savage attacks.
“The problem is not Jews and Arabs.… We are cousins who can and should live together in peace and prosperity.… May our people, Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians, enjoy the shared blessings of our heritage.”
Diamond Factory Manager Killed in Hamas Terror Attacks
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RE: Diamond Factory Manager Killed in Hamas Terror Attacks
https://nationaljeweler.com/articles/12362-manager-of-grandview-klein-diamond-factory-confirmed-dead-in-hamas-attacks
Manager of Grandview Klein Diamond Factory Confirmed Dead in Hamas Attacks
Michelle Graff
michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com
Isaac Siton managed the company’s facility in Namibia and was the “fabric of the factory,” Moshe Klein said.
Editor's note: This story was updated post-publication following confirmation that Isaac and Chana Siton were among those killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Be’eri in Israel.
New York—Isaac (Itzik) Siton, a nearly 20-year employee of Grandview Klein Diamond Group, was among the victims of the Hamas attacks that shocked Israel and the world over the weekend.
Isaac, who was in his mid-70s, worked for Grandview Klein for the last 18 years, starting at the company’s diamond factory in South Africa before working his way up to managing the factory in Windhoek, Namibia, company President Moshe Klein said Thursday.
The factory had just doubled its capacity and Isaac, who had been working tirelessly on the expansion, “just wanted to take a vacation,” Klein said.
He flew to Israel with this wife, Chana Siton, to visit her sister, Pessy.
All three, along with the couple’s son, Tal Siton, were in the picturesque kibbutz of Be’eri, located in southern Israel near the border with Gaza, on Saturday morning when Hamas militants stormed the village, killing more than 120 people and kidnapping others.
Klein said when he looked at this phone on Sunday following the Jewish holiday, he had numerous messages and missed calls from an employee at the company’s factory in Namibia, telling him they were unable to get ahold of Isaac.
As the week wore on and Isaac remained unreachable, it became apparent that something had happened to him, though it was unclear if he had been killed or was among those kidnapped by Hamas.
In Namibia, Grandview Klein’s employee held a candlelight service for their leader, praying for his safe return.
Klein said Isaac was a father figure to the factory’s local employees, and he was involved in all the local charities.
He loved his quiet life in Namibia and was looking forward to retiring.
“He was just the most lovable, sincere, kind [man], never raised his voice,” Klein said. “He was the fabric of our factory in Namibia. He was such a force.”
Tal and Pessy were confirmed among the dead shortly after the attack, while authorities in Namibia officially identified the bodies of Isaac and Chana on Oct. 17.
Klein said he plans to travel to Namibia in the coming weeks and will do something there in Isaac’s memory.
“He’s going to be missed, I can tell you that. He did not deserve this,” he said.
“We will never forget. He will always be a part of our family, forever.”
Manager of Grandview Klein Diamond Factory Confirmed Dead in Hamas Attacks
Michelle Graff
michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com
Isaac Siton managed the company’s facility in Namibia and was the “fabric of the factory,” Moshe Klein said.
Editor's note: This story was updated post-publication following confirmation that Isaac and Chana Siton were among those killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Be’eri in Israel.
New York—Isaac (Itzik) Siton, a nearly 20-year employee of Grandview Klein Diamond Group, was among the victims of the Hamas attacks that shocked Israel and the world over the weekend.
Isaac, who was in his mid-70s, worked for Grandview Klein for the last 18 years, starting at the company’s diamond factory in South Africa before working his way up to managing the factory in Windhoek, Namibia, company President Moshe Klein said Thursday.
The factory had just doubled its capacity and Isaac, who had been working tirelessly on the expansion, “just wanted to take a vacation,” Klein said.
He flew to Israel with this wife, Chana Siton, to visit her sister, Pessy.
All three, along with the couple’s son, Tal Siton, were in the picturesque kibbutz of Be’eri, located in southern Israel near the border with Gaza, on Saturday morning when Hamas militants stormed the village, killing more than 120 people and kidnapping others.
Klein said when he looked at this phone on Sunday following the Jewish holiday, he had numerous messages and missed calls from an employee at the company’s factory in Namibia, telling him they were unable to get ahold of Isaac.
As the week wore on and Isaac remained unreachable, it became apparent that something had happened to him, though it was unclear if he had been killed or was among those kidnapped by Hamas.
In Namibia, Grandview Klein’s employee held a candlelight service for their leader, praying for his safe return.
Klein said Isaac was a father figure to the factory’s local employees, and he was involved in all the local charities.
He loved his quiet life in Namibia and was looking forward to retiring.
“He was just the most lovable, sincere, kind [man], never raised his voice,” Klein said. “He was the fabric of our factory in Namibia. He was such a force.”
Tal and Pessy were confirmed among the dead shortly after the attack, while authorities in Namibia officially identified the bodies of Isaac and Chana on Oct. 17.
Klein said he plans to travel to Namibia in the coming weeks and will do something there in Isaac’s memory.
“He’s going to be missed, I can tell you that. He did not deserve this,” he said.
“We will never forget. He will always be a part of our family, forever.”