Balter, Jacob-Jonathan (John)
Son of Jesse-Avellina and David-Netanel were born on August 14, 1928 in London, the capital of England. After graduating from elementary school and high school, he began to study medicine at a university in London. From his youth he was a member of the Habonim youth movement, where he organized a group of 25 people called Kadima, whose goal was to study the problems of Zionism and Palestine. Jonathan was interested in poetry and literature and even excelled in his writings, which testified to the ability of expression and reflection. When a group of refugee children arrived in England, they often took care of them and inquired about their fate. Before he finished his medical studies, he enlisted in the Haganah, although his parents and friends tried to discourage him from doing so, at least until his graduation. In August 1948 Yonatan immigrated to Israel as a member of Machal and joined the IDF. He was placed in the reconnaissance unit of the English-speaking company B, in Battalion 72 of the 7th Brigade, and excelled as a sniper. He participated in several battles and operations in the Galilee and Lebanon and rose to the rank of corporal. After being wounded in one of the battles, he left the hospital before his recovery, telling his friends: “I heard that you had a bad time, so I hastened and came.” One of his friends said of him: “He always thought well and well.” Yonatan fell on the 25th of Kislev 5709 (25.12.1948) near Rosh Pina (Mahanayim) while trying to convey an urgent item. He shortened the road and went into a minefield and boarded a mine. The next day he was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Rosh Pina. He left behind essays and poems in English that attest to his talent for expression and great spiritual wealth.
