Gantz, Abraham

Avraham, son of Yehudit and Moshe, was born on March 25, 1950 in the city of Regin, Romania, and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1961. He studied at the Kiryat Ata elementary school and at the “Samet” high school in Haifa and continued his studies at the Technion in Haifa. He was an outstanding student and was well integrated into his studies and social life, despite being a new immigrant who grew up in a different society. “He had a wonderful memory for dates and historical events and was blessed with analytical thought and common sense, after graduating he was certified as a mechanical engineer, after being selected several times as an outstanding student. He was a member of the “Bnei Akiva” movement and took an active part in its activities. He was also a sports fan and active in the Gadna. Avraham was friendly and sympathetic to his friends, who nicknamed him “Romi”, and in youth games, he stood out as the “spirit of life” among his friends. They say that “in the nighttime games in the movement he would organize the break-ins and attacks in a tactical, military way.” He was polite and pleasant, “a real gentleman, who has not forgotten his ‘great thanks’ and deep bowing.” He was a loyal son and devoted to his parents. He cultivated special relations with his father, and his sick mother acted with love and sacrifice and devoted a great deal of time to caring for her and making it easier for her. Avraham was drafted into the IDF in early November 1968 and volunteered for the Armored Corps, even though he was an only child, and after completing basic training, he was sent to an officer’s course. After completing his training course for armored corps officers and being assigned to an armored unit in the north, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and he was given the “Operational Service Certificate.” Avraham was considered a good and dedicated officer, He was admired by all his subordinates and commanders, who admired him very much, and after graduating from regular service, he studied for a year at the Technion and was about to marry his girlfriend. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, he did not delay and went immediately to his unit despite being observant. He participated in the battles of containment and incursion against the Syrians in the Golan Heights and his comrades said that “he passed with bravery that is difficult to describe the stage of containment: On the day of Tu B’Shvat 5740 (October 11, 1973), Avraham took part in the battles of the breakthrough in the Chen-Arnabe region after taking command of the company from the company commander who fell in battle. In the course of the fighting that day, his tank was hit by an anti-tank missile and he was wounded by mortal wounds, and he was laid to rest in the civilian cemetery in Kiryat Ata, leaving behind his parents and sister. After his fall, he was promoted to captain. His unit published a pamphlet in memory of the fallen, containing the words of friends about the image of Abraham; The press published lists about his character and his wonderful fighting.