Eliyahu, Isaac

Born in 1950 in Iraq. When he was 40 days old, Yitzhak immigrated with his parents to Israel. The family settled in Netanya, where Yitzhak began to study at Mesilot School. After completing eight years of study he went to work as a diamond polishing worker. He continued to pay for himself and acquired a general education. In February 1968, Yitzhak enlisted in the IDF and served in the Armored Corps, and after completing basic training, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. When he was discharged from compulsory service, Yitzhak built his home in Netanya and established a family. Isaac was a devoted father, a model husband and a good son. He continued to work as a hardworking diamond polisher, learned the profession well and opened his own polishing. He was accepted as a member of the Diamond Exchange. Isaac was acceptable to his workers, took care of their needs and helped them a lot. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, he was drafted into the army and fought with his unit at the front. During his service in the reserves, Yitzhak continued to study in various military professions, and in August 1976 he underwent a course for mortar commanders. When the Peace for Galilee War broke out, Yitzhak was not drafted in the first stage of the war and felt himself hurt by this, until on the day of June 8, 1982 he was called to service. He fought as a mortar commander on the Micha axis in the Bekaa valley. His unit was in the process of rescuing a battalion that was fighting Syrian forces. On June 11, 1982, a Syrian tank shell hit his unit and Yitzhak was killed when he was 32. Yitzhak was laid to rest in the cemetery in Netanya and left behind a wife, two daughters, a mother, three brothers and a sister. Minister of Defense Ariel Sharon wrote to his family: “Sergeant Yitzhak Eliyahu gave his life for his homeland. He served in the Armored Corps, was a devoted soldier, excelled in his duties and helped others. “The commander of his unit wrote to his family:” Yitzhak fell heroically in the difficult battle against the Syrian army forces, while his brigade was eager to help rescue another battalion captured in enemy ambush. In his fall he saved many fighters’ lives. “