Direli, Joseph

Son of Fadel and Rachel. He was born on January 19, 1950 in Jerusalem. He studied at the Saint-Josette School of the French Mission in Jaffa. He continued at the Kol Israel Haverim High School in Ramat Aviv and graduated from Ankori High School. From childhood, he was literally superior to all his friends and had rare physical strength. Only his mother knew how to restrain his strength and urge him to turn his energies into positive channels. He was a trainee at the Gadna Air and a member of the Cherner Youth Club in Jaffa. He often read books about commando operations, karate and bodybuilding, and read the Anatolian books in the first place. He had a strong love for Israel in his parents’ home, and as he once said: “At the mission school I was not brought up to travel in Israel and of course not to be a Zionist. Good is in the IDF out of recognition and aspires to do everything in the best possible way, to exhaust this period to the end. “Yosef joined the IDF in early May 1968, volunteered for the Air Force and was sent to a pilot course. After a short period, when things “did not work out,” he volunteered for an elite unit of infantry and there he found his place. His sense of serenity and tremendous physical strength had given them a wide range of action and Joseph gave him confidence and peace. One of his commanders said, “It was good to be near him in battle, you would feel more confident with him …” During his service, Yosef underwent various courses, including officers’ training, and served with his unit along Israel’s long borders and beyond. As an outstanding soldier, he was invited to the home of the President of the State and received a letter of appreciation from President Zalman Shazar, who was awarded two medals: “The Medal of Valor” and “The Medal of Honor” “Lieutenant Yosef Direli jumped from his position, ran to the house under enemy fire, was fired from three directions, rescued the wounded man and brought him to a collection point.” The “Medal of Honor” was awarded to him for rescuing a wounded man. Whose commander said, “Direli was an excellent officer for whom you could give him a medal.” Even his death was found by Captain Joseph Diorley when he felt compelled to help. On the 26th of Cheshvan 5733 (November 3, 1972) Yosef fell in battle. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. The Minister of Defense, GOC Northern Command, the IDF Attaché in Washington (Motta Gur) and his direct commander praised the great contribution of Yosef Direli, one of the greatest fighters known to the IDF, to the security of Israel and its glorious way of life . His articles were published in the press and one of them (“Direli” by Doron Rosenblum) won the Schwimmer Press Prize, and on Army Radio a story was written about “Friends Talk about Direli”; His nephew published a book of poems in his memory entitled “Be a soldier but not.” On Memorial Day, 5737, a television program was broadcast, part of which was dedicated to his memory.