Galili, Mordechai (Motke)

Ben Rachel and Yehoshua was born on 19.4.1922 in the city of Kishinev, Romania, and immigrated to Israel as part of Youth Aliya. in the midst of the events of 1936-1939, he joined the Haganah. At the beginning of the War of Independence he enlisted in the Golani Brigade, a unit composed of members of the kibbutzim. Participated with his platoon in the first battles in the Jordan Valley. His friends remember him from the days of a bombed bridge, taking down ammunition from a burning car when he despairs of danger. On May 6, 1948, a Golani force took control of the village of Arab a-Zabah near Beit Keshet, took control of it and blew up some of its houses. The organization of the force for withdrawal was delayed, and in the process the Arabs launched a counterattack. Many of the force fighters fell in the harsh retreat. Mordechai fell on the 27th of Nissan 5708 (May 6, 1948) during the retreat. He dragged a wounded friend behind him, and as he did so, he too fell. Mordechai was laid to rest in the cemetery at Kibbutz Beit Keshet. He left behind a wife, Leah, a daughter and a son. The son was born after his death and named after him.