Arazi (Harazi) Yihya-Zechariah

Yihya Zacharia, son of Sara and Saadia Z “l, was born in 1944 in Yemen and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1949. He completed his studies in an elementary school in Bnei Brak. Yahya, who was known by all his acquaintances as Zechariah, lost his father when he was four years old – the father’s death left his mark on his life in his childhood and adulthood. He grew up without spiritual support and mental welfare and therefore did not get to continue his studies. Nevertheless, his spirit did not break and as he grew older and more agonized, he became more mature and acquired more wisdom, understanding, experience, and independence. He had a great deal of emotion and understanding the other person, was kind and loved to help others. His humanity and natural warmth earned the admiration of all who knew him. He was a football fan. Before he was drafted into the army, he began to work in building and study in the profession of the catcher. Zacharia was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces in early August 1962 and was assigned to the Armored Corps, and after completing his training course in the “Centurion” tank, he was appointed a gunner in the Centurion tank, his commanders testified that he fulfilled his duties efficiently and devotedly. Two years after his discharge from the army, Zechariah married Margalit, his girlfriend, and established an exemplary family, and he began his studies in the printing industry, but during the recession, he was forced to stop working as a construction worker. He used to take the twins for walks, shows, and he was very proud of them and used to boast of them to his friends, and when his daughter was born, his life filled with gaiety, and he was the happiest among his family. When the Yom Kippur War broke out Zechariah was drafted and sent with his unit to the Suez Canal front. On the 11th of Tishrei 5734 (11.10.1973), during the harsh braking battles, he was hit by enemy aircraft and killed on the spot. He was brought to rest at the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul, leaving behind a wife, two twin sons, a daughter, a mother, five brothers and seven sisters. After his fall he was promoted to Sergeant.