Amadi, Jonathan (June)

Ben Rina and Gedaliah. He was born on September 9, 1976 in Jerusalem. Ahar Erez, Nurit and Oshrat, and three other brothers who died shortly before their birth. His parents named him after Jonathan Netanyahu, who was killed in Operation Entebbe in June 1976 because his mother felt a strong need to call her son after the hero. Yoni was a plump, beautiful, smiling and sweet child. His childhood was spent in Nachlaot and then in Old Katamon. He began his studies at Yehuda Halevy Elementary School and when the family moved to Ma’aleh Adumim, in 1988, he continued at the “Sdei Chemed” school in the city. In high school he studied at the Ort Olayski School in Jerusalem, in the administration track. Yoni was an enthusiastic fan of the Betar soccer team in Jerusalem, and played football and basketball with his friends, and he was gifted with courage, wisdom and curiosity, and above all, with love and caring for others and his family. He spent a long time saving money to help his parents buy a new home, a dream that he had not been able to realize in his life. He was called “the scientist” by his family, because he always wanted to learn, to study and to deepen his knowledge He completed his basic training with honors and continued with a wireless course at the National School of Electronics and Computers. Yoni served as a combat soldier in the Signal Company of the Golani Brigade, and in October 1996 he went on a commanding officer course and returned to serve as a unit commander in his unit. He spent his holidays helping the family business and his hobby, football. He planned to leave for an officers’ course in February 1997, but had chosen to instruct new recruits in the unit. On the evening of 28 February 1997, the helicopter disaster occurred when two Yasur helicopters collided over Moshav Shear Yashuv. The seventy-three fighters, who made their way to operational activity in Lebanon, were killed, including Yoni. June was laid to rest in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. He was twenty years old when he fell. Survived by his parents, brother and two sisters. After his fall he was raised to the rank of sergeant, and his brother said: “Yoni was the pride of the family. A guy with a big head who always aspired forward. A child who is all a soul. “Turning to June, he said,” You were the jewel in the crown, you were supposed to break through barriers we did not break in, and we hoped you would. You were innocent and even love did not taste. “I still see his broad smile, his hearty laugh, hear his many apologies when he is late in the morning, because he has arrived,” he said. From Ma’aleh Adumim. Yoni was loved by his friends, they gathered around him during breaks. With him he was always ‘happy’. He will be missing for all of us. “The unit commander wrote to the family:” Yoni was an admired figure worthy of emulation among his commanders and friends. The pursuit of perfection was what drove him in all his ways in the company, and it was she who moved us, commanders and soldiers, to follow him. Yoni fell on his way to an outpost in Lebanon, while believing that he must carry out his task with determination and professionalism, while devotion and love of the land. Yoni served as a squad commander and stood out in his seriousness and love to help his friends. His laughing laughter and broad smile helped his friends to go through difficult crises during the operational employment period. “The deputy commander of the brigade said to Yoni:” You had a personal example and peace of mind that was projected on your soldiers and friends. You have always said that good soldiers are soldiers who understand their mission and that the way of education and information will carry out your orders. In about three months you were supposed to go to the Infantry Officers Course and return to the command of the sickThe Golani Warriors. Jonathan – quiet, modest, helpful and considerate. And above all – a friend. Shalom was a friend, Shalom was my brother, a Golani fighter. “His family commemorated his donation to a synagogue.