Cohen, Ilan

Ben Ellis and David. Ilan was born in Jerusalem on January 24, 1960. He grew up in a traditional family with a great affinity for love of man and earth. The father, David, despite his desire to fulfill the mitzva of settling the land, immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1948 as a youth in the framework of the Youth Aliyah where he was a member of the Masada movement in the Jordan Valley. Ilan and his twin daughter Ilana were born at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem. When the twins were born, it was natural for them to be called Ilan and Ilana because of the proximity of their birth to the festival of trees. When they were two years old, the family moved to Arad. At the age of fourteen, Ilan began his studies at the Naval Military Academy in Ashdod, where he studied for nearly two years. While he was on vacation home, he suffered from diabetes. Despite his difficulties and limitations, he fought to serve in the army. His war was fruitful and he was drafted into a special service, during which he served in the Southern Command in the Natan camp. After his discharge from the army he worked as a maintenance man at the Moriah Hotel, where he also volunteered for the Civil Guard. During his activity in this framework, he received the “Permanent Volunteer” certificate. During his activity in the Civil Guard, he became acquainted with the activities of the police, and his fellow graduates enlisted him in the ranks. During his 13 years of activity in the police, which began in 1983, Ilan served in a number of activities: in the Jerusalem Execution Office, in the detention room, as a companion to the white-collar prisoners and in the detention center at the Russian Compound. Ilan reached the height of his activity when he served at the Neve Zohar station of the Dead Sea, where he became fond of those around him and was nicknamed “the sheriff of the Dead Sea”. With the outbreak of the intifada, he joined the police in the Jerusalem area. At the end of 1995, Ilan’s health deteriorated and he frequently spent time in hospitals. Sergeant Ilan passed away on 29.12.1996. Thirty-six years old. He was buried in the cemetery on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem. Survived by his parents – Alice and David, three sisters – Rosie, Ilana (twin) and Yael, and brother – Yossi.