Israeli, Yair

Son of Jonah and Menahem, was born on the 11th of Iyar 5708 in Kfar Yehoshua. He belonged to a pioneering agricultural family that was one of the first settlers in the area. From his childhood, he participated in the work of the agriculture in his concern for his hard-working parents. He was interested in the mechanics of each machine, and over time acquired a knowledge of the mechanics. He finished school in the village, but did not make do with the knowledge he had acquired and wanted to learn more and more. In the early hours of the morning and evening and night, he sat and studied and was devoted to the farm. Yair was an active member and a counselor in Hanoar Haoved and Hagana. He was sent to courses for Hish, reconnaissance, and medic commanders in the Haganah. On behalf of the Hagana, he guided and trained the youth in the village. Was dedicated to the agriculture with all his soul, but when he was obliged to join the Nutras went without hesitation despite the lack of hands in the farm. As an official guard, he used this role for the training and training of youth on a large scale. At the beginning of December 1947, when he enlisted in the Golani Brigade, he was appointed commander of a squad and occasionally went out with his class to one of the dangerous spots in the area. Every job, as one of its commanders attested, would have been full, earnest, and faithful. He was strong, handsome, a good friend, responsible, disciplined, and a commander – devoted to his subordinates – as the testimony of friends and commanders alike. At the end of the fighting in Mishmar Ha’emek, he was transferred to a course for reconnaissance commanders near Herzliya. On the 11th of Iyar 5708 (May 20, 1948), one day after the students were assembled in the Tel Litwinski camp, the camp was bombed by an enemy aircraft and Yair was hit by a bomb fragment. He was laid to rest in the cemetery in his village, Kfar Yehoshua.