I have just heard - it is so terrible. I got a mail from Victor Fleurov (it was not sent to me but finally forwarded to me this morning - I think that now it is the time of the funeral in Israel). If this message does not get through to you (I only have an old email address for you, it may not work now) I hope that Victor will get the message through to you.

I am so so sorry. My heart goes out to you and the rest of your family. Israel was such a wonderful person - a kind and gentle and very loyal friend, a wonderful companion, and a true original. I am sure you know this very well, I am dreadfully sorry - it will be very hard for you to lose such a wonderful father, who cared so deeply about you. As you know he was passionate abut many things, and a great idealist, but he also felt deep attachments and one of his greatest regrets was to have spent so long away from you when you were young. I am so glad that in the last few years he was able to get a job in Israel, and to be close to you.

Please give my deepest condolences to your mother and also to Shlomi. This from me and also from my children Fred and Nikolai. They do not know yet but they will be very sad - as you know Israel was the godfather of Fred (he was proud to call himnself the 'only Jewish Godfather int he world', but it was without any religious significance, it was just an expression of friendship), and Fred and Nikolai were deeply attached to Israel, so much so that in 1998 they decided together that he was going to be their grandfather (they were much younger then). I do not know how I am going to tell them about this.

Your father was a wonderful person, who gave generously his time and energy to many people, and who always tried, and never gave up, no matter how often he was frustrated. He will be mourned across the world. You are very lucky to have had him as a father, and I am so terribly sorry for you.

all the very best
Philip Stamp