Cohen, Yehuda

Son of Rachel and Meir, was born in 1929 in Jerusalem. He completed his studies at the Tachkemoni school, but due to the family’s poor financial situation, he was forced to go to work to help the parents. As a member of Hanoar Haoved, he was able to find his way to fulfilling this duty with dignity, and during various work he also managed to acquire the profession of leadership and even paid full attention to the vehicle. For a time he worked in Netanya as a driver. With the outbreak of the War of Independence, he immediately enlisted to accompany the convoys and took part in shifts that traveled between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and later between Jerusalem and Mount Scopus, Ramat Rachel and Talpiot, and specialized in and even excelled at breaking through the checkpoints. With the leadership of the first armored vehicles, he received an armored vehicle and arrived with the convoy of the “burglars” to besieged Jerusalem. From there he was sent with the last convoy that reached Gush Etzion and brought reinforcements in people, weapons and food. The road back to Jerusalem was blocked and Judah remained in the block. On May 12, 1948, Arab Legion and Arab forces carried out a heavy attack on the Gush and managed to locate it in two. The attack continued the following day and the enemy succeeded in conquering Kfar Etzion. Yehuda fell with the defenders of Kfar Etzion on the 4th of Iyar 5708 (13.5.1948) On the 17th of Cheshvan 5706 (17.11.1949) he was brought to rest with the rest of the victims of the Gush, at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.