Dai, Yoav

Son of Aziza (Shoshana) and Ari (Henry), who immigrated to Israel from Tunis, was born on October 23, 1962, in Lod, and grew up in this city. Yoav studied at the Ma’apilim Elementary School and completed his studies at the Ramle-Lod High School in the social track. During his studies, he was active in the framework of the Gadna, and in this framework he even took a commanding officer course. His ties to Gadna were very courageous, and during his vacations from the IDF, Yoav used to come to the Gadna Club and guide him, and Yoav was a gifted young man, and excelled in painting. Yoav had a lot of friends who loved to spend time with him and listen to the jazz bands “Kevin” and “Pops” he loved, Yoav was an inexhaustible energy, he was very active, and everything he did was done with a smile. Yoav was drafted into the IDF in early February 1981 and volunteered to serve in the Armored Corps. His physical strength, his courage, and his willingness to help his friends came into play during a stretcher journey, when two stretcher men suddenly failed and could not continue. Yoav, who had just finished his term, got up, loaded the two stretcher handles, and continued on the journey to the base. Even during his service he remained attached to his school, and even joined as a companion to his trips. As one of the teachers described him, “When he joined as an escort for one of the classes, Yoav showed personal responsibility, concern for others and love of the person.” Despite the difficulties that arose, he did not lose his cool, sense of humor and optimism. He had often had a quarrel with his commanders about matters he considered unjust, and he insisted. That did not prevent him from being a good soldier and a top-level executive. When the Peace for the Galilee broke out, Yoav was in the final stages of the course of the Merkava tank commanders. The students were called to Lebanon to take part in the fighting. On the 18th of Sivan, 5762 (9.6.1982), Corporal Yoav fell in battle in Lebanon and was brought to eternal rest in the military cemetery in Lod. After they fell, he was promoted to sergeant. Yoav left behind his parents, three brothers and a sister. In his personal file, the following assessment was recorded: “He showed leadership and a high professional level, which his friends liked, a loyal and dedicated person.”