Alwan, Salameh

Ben Afifah and Hassan. Salameh was born in 1914 on Mount Druze in Syria. He immigrated to Israel in 1928 and joined Kibbutz Beit Alfa as a foreign child. He acquired his education, the Hebrew language, and knowledge of history when he was on the kibbutz. In 1941 Salameh was drafted into the British army, trained as a driver and served as a driver of a senior British officer. Shortly before he enlisted in the British army, Salameh married Na’ifah, they lived in the valley, and over the years they had three children. Soon he became one of the village dignitaries. His acquaintances testify that he was a comfortable and patient man who loved to help others, and if necessary he would share his food with his neighbor and do it lovingly. After the establishment of the State of Israel Salameh was released from the British army and temporarily joined the Etzel organization, where he participated in many operations, one of which was in the Syrian border area, Salameh joined the Border Police and was sent to a police training course at the National Police School, where he was assigned to serve as a guard in the various Border Police stations. During his service, he was transferred to the Sasa area and served as a combat driver. As part of this position, he took a course in driving armored trucks. In 1954 Salameh’s wife was injured when a concrete wall collapsed on her and became disabled, bedridden. The entire burden of the family-education, raising children-was now his responsibility. With all the responsibility and the burden he has suffered, he has not broken. Parnas took care of the family, and at the same time continued to contribute his part in maintaining state security. On 4.4.1963, while Salameh drove on the road to his unit, he crashed into a truck, turned into a roadside channel and was killed. Another policeman was killed with him. Forty-nine years old. He was buried in the cemetery.