Golker, Yehonatan

Yehonatan, son of Gabriela and Yitzhak, was born in Nahariya on February 20, 1953. He studied at the elementary school in Kibbutz Beit HaEmek and completed his studies at the regional school in Sulam Tzur, and was a member of the Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed youth movement, He was a sports enthusiast and a member of the Na’aman soccer team, and in the high grades of high school he decided to choose the biological track because he saw in nature studies an important value for a kibbutznik who was interested in sociology and mathematics and read many books in these fields. “Yoni was the” central “guy in our group. He could be trusted with everything and assigned any role. When he had to do something, prepare or organize, we usually chose Yoni. “He was very popular with his friends on the kibbutz, and everyone liked him because of his great energy and marked his openness and love of the person. He also visited the IDF in early August 1972 and was assigned to the Armored Corps. After completing his basic training, he completed a tank course, at the end of which he was sent to serve as a liaison officer in the Suez Canal. Was an excellent soldier, responsible and devoted to his role, and served as an example to his friends in his good temper, his passivity and his obedience. Throughout his service, Yoni was admired by his comrades in the unit and his commanders noted his leadership ability and his devotion to all the tasks he was assigned. Shortly before the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, he was sent to a tank commanders course. During the Yom Kippur War, Yoni participated in the fierce battles against the Egyptians in Sinai and participated in the crossing of the Suez Canal. After his tank commander was injured, Yoni replaced him, and his friends say he acted with courage and resourcefulness. Before the cease-fire he was supposed to be transferred to the central region, but he volunteered to stay in Sinai and continue to act as a liaison. On the 27th of Tishrei 5734 (23.10.1973), the first day of the cease-fire, he went on a tour of the Ismailia axis, where his tank was hit by a missile and he was killed. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Beit HaEmek. After his fall, he was promoted to sergeant. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “Sergeant Yehonatan served in an armored unit for a long time, and he was a good-hearted guy, serious and loved by his friends.”