Eliyahu, son of Susan and Abraham, was born on April 5, 1950 in Safed. He began his studies at Safed Elementary School and studied for one year at the Be’eri Elementary School in Netanya. Elijah was a lively and Simcha child. In his hometown of Safed, he became acquainted with the secrets of nature and the clear mountain air. For many hours he traveled alone and with his friends on the paths of the forests and alleys of the Old City. He studied at the Safed elementary school for six years, and although he did not excel in a particular subject, he was a diligent and beloved student of teachers and friends. “Devotion and love of others were fundamental qualities of Elijah’s character,” said one of his friends. We knew that if we asked him for something, and even if he demanded self-sacrifice, Elijah would not turn us away empty-handed. He was a member of a youth movement and was involved in various social activities at Beit Gidon. In 1960, his parents decided to move to Netanya, and Eliahu became acquainted with the mysteries of the sea. He learned to swim and loved everything about swimming. He spent long hours on the beach, playing with his friends and watching the sea. Two years later, the Amram family emigrated to France and settled in Paris. Eliyahu’s parents, who came from El-Jair, became involved in French society, but he was not easily acclimatized with the youth group. He graduated from elementary school, studied in a vocational school, struggled in the French language and missed the country. After three years of post-secondary education at ORT, he decided to immigrate to Israel and fulfill his military duty. During his time in Israel he was active in the youth movement and in the framework of the Gadna, and always hoped to contribute his part to the IDF. When his parents learned that their son had decided to immigrate to Israel alone, they decided to preserve the unity of the family and return everyone with him. He was a devoted son to his parents, cared for and helped them with the various housework, and everything he did for them was done out of good will. His brother, Ilan, and his sisters, Medi, Shoshana, and Channa noted his unbounded kindness. “We were five,” they said, “like a whole hand, and now one finger has been cut off, the main one.” On the eve of his enlistment in the IDF, Eliahu was a mature and serious young man, who spent time and energy in various art works, including plaster and metal sculpture. Integrity and precision that came together, “said Brother Ilan, who was drafted into the IDF in mid-May 1969 and assigned to the Armored Corps. After basic training, he completed a tank training course and was stationed as a tank gunner in the Golan Heights. In his unit he became known as a dedicated and efficient soldier, and was praised by commanders for his achievements in target practice. He was awarded the Operational Service Award for his part in operational activities. He would often come to his parents’ home, help them reintegrate into the life of the country and help the family with good advice and action. In May 1972, after leaving regular service, he returned to live in his parents’ home in Ashdod and worked as a locksmith in the local electric company. He quickly became fond of the staff and many of the young people of Ashdod thanks to his good friendship and his sporting activity on the beach. About two weeks before the Yom Kippur War broke out, Eliyahu was called to reserve duty. During the war he took part in the braking battles on the southern front and was one of the forces that crossed the Suez Canal to its western bank. His friends in the unit talk about his courage and his devotion to the mission. He fought like a cannon in a tank and carried out every task he was given impeccably. On the 19th of Tishrei 5734 (October 19, 1973), Elijah was hit and killed in a heavy artillery shelling of the Egyptians at Dura Soir. He was laid to rest in the civil cemetery in Ashdod. Survived by his parents, brother and three sisters. After his fall, he was promoted to sergeant. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, then-Defense Minister Moshe Dayan wrote:Wine: “Elijah z” l served in the Armored Corps. He was a devoted soldier and a loyal friend. Eliyahu was loved by his commanders and his comrades in arms. “The Amram family donated a Torah scroll in the name of Eliyahu to the Beit El Synagogue in Ashdod.
