Benvenisti, Rafael (‘Rafi’)

Son of Mordechai and Nora. He was born on September 30, 1952 in Haifa. His childhood was spent in Hadar-Hacarmel. The first three elementary grades were done at the Remez elementary school, and when the family moved to the Carmel neighborhood, he completed his elementary studies at the David Yellin School, where Rafi was a quiet and comfortable boy and loved by everyone. Helped him quite a bit to adapt to the new school and his new friends, and as a member of his class he joined the Scouts movement and was active in it for many years and took part in camps and trips and in routine activities. And studies, and the preparation of homework, but passed the examination exams successfully, thus opening the gates of high schools. The selection of a professional school in Samet was different. He passed the entrance exams and was admitted to this school with the aim of chemical engineering. A new era in his life began, with new friends and a new way of life. The relationship with the Scouts was weakened, and social activity of a smaller and more intimate nature began. As a handsome young man he was the favorite of many girls. The studies were enough to bother Rafi, but he was determined to conclude them properly, and even extended them to two years to gain the diploma of a chemical engineer-to the welfare and joy of his parents. At the beginning of February 1972, Rafi joined the Armored Corps and was promoted to the rank of Corporal, and at the beginning of July 1972 he completed the course and worked in the Tank-Kedem tank team. At home, Rafi did not mention much about the service – he never complained about difficulties. He simply did his duty with discipline and loyalty and to the satisfaction of his commanders and friends. The Yom Kippur War found Rafi in the Golan Heights. He fought in the desperate battles of containment in the center of the Golan Heights – within the framework of the Barak Brigade. Even for this difficult period of time he hardly reported to his family, not to be even more so. More than once he saw death before his eyes, but he survived the war in its first phase, which decided the fate of the plateau and perhaps even the fate of the state. Rafi was sent to a tank commanders’ course, completed at the end of 1973, raised to the rank of sergeant and returned as a non-commissioned officer to his battalion, which was then sitting in the Syrian enclave. He was attacked by a Syrian commando unit and a bitter battle began to develop: Rafi activated his machine gun, his body exposed to the fire, he was hit by Syrian bullets, and when he was no longer a tank guard, the Syrians took him and took the crew captive. , Including Rafi, who has been seriously wounded, since his trail has disappeared and the difficult days of hope began for his family, who were convinced that Rafi was missing. And Rafi – only his body was returned 40 days later, apparently died of agony and heroism immediately after his death – on 10 May 1974. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Haifa. Survived by his parents and brother.