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Bonfil, Rafael (Rafi)

Bonfil, Rafael (Rafi)


Raphael (Rafi), ben Bella and Nissim, was born on April 1, 1954 in Tel Aviv Rafi was drafted into the IDF at the beginning of May 1972. He volunteered to volunteer for the paratroopers or the naval commando He was assigned to the Armored Corps. After completing basic training, he completed an artillery-tank course and then graduated with honors with a tank commander course and attained the rank of sergeant. Rafi was an outstanding soldier and loved his unit and the life of the army in general. His commanders greatly admired him and for a certain period even thought of volunteering for career army service. A few months before the war broke out, Rafi’s girlfriend arrived in Israel and the two decided to marry after he was released from regular service. It was a fierce love that lasted for several years and stretched across continents. During the Yom Kippur War, Rafi was a tank commander in the battles in the Suez Canal. On the third day of the war, on October 8, 1973, his tank was hit by rocket fire and he was killed. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Kiryat Shaul near his older brother David, who was killed eight days later in battles for the “Chinese farm.” Brother David, who was also a tank commander, did not know what happened to his younger brother, Rafi, to whom he was very attached. Raphi left behind a father and two brothers. After his fall, he was promoted to First Sergeant.

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