Basson, Eliyahu (Eli)
Eliahu, the eldest son of Nazima and Salman (Shlomo), was born on January 4, 1940, in the city of Basra, Iraq. He completed his elementary studies at the Yad Eliahu School and completed his high school studies at the Tel Aviv Municipal High School. The beginning of Eli’s childhood, as all the members of the household affectionately called him, passed through the Iraqi Diaspora, where he absorbed the basic values that accompanied him in the way of his life. He learned to distinguish between his people and the rest of the inhabitants, and he also learned to aspire to the Land of Israel and Jerusalem, the Holy City. His parents taught him to “stand on his feet” always and be independent in order to advance in any case, and the child responded with respect and respect and a lot of love. When he was six, his sister Mira was born, and Eli helped his mother treat her as best he could, and in general behaved like a responsible and thoughtful child. At the time of the establishment of the State of Israel, there was a national awakening among the Jews in Iraq, and as soon as it was possible to go on a journey with the baby, the parents packed their suitcases and in 1950 immigrated to Israel. After about a year moved to Ramat Gan, where Eli quickly absorbed the Hebrew language and helped his parents to carry on the acclimatization process, and he soon became his father’s right-hand man in the installation and repair of home appliances. After completing basic training, he studied at the Air Force Technical School and graduated with honors. He was attached to an armored unit and established the brigade liaison company, and even served as a senior communications technician. Because of his excellent qualities, he was fond of his subordinates and commanders. They appreciated his honesty, his skill and his kindness. Eli listened patiently to anyone and knew how to answer with great modesty and seriousness. After being discharged from regular service he began his career as a laboratory technician at Budek, and within a short time he rose to the rank of senior auditor. His reputation preceded him as inventive and he set new records demanding quality of work. The electronics inspectors at the Civil Aviation Administration paid attention to his special skills, and he moved to the engineering unit of the Accessories Division. Eli also worked for General Electric and was sent to England and the United States, where he soon became an engineer. His colleagues trusted him wholeheartedly, and consulted him on every problem at work. During his free time, Eli used to read literature and expand his knowledge of electronics. In 1967 Eli married Ronit and in 1969 their son Gal was born. In 1971 their second son, Shai, was born, and there was no limit to their happiness. Eli was very attached to his family, and devoted his time to nurturing the family nest with great love. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, he rushed to his unit and did not wait for the order. It was clear to him that he was doing the only thing that could and should be done. His unit assisted the fighting forces on the Sinai front and spent difficult hours there. On October 11, 1973, he was hit and killed in the bombing of one of the IDF bases east of the Suez Canal, and was brought to the eternal military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul, leaving a wife, two sons, and was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant.
