Kibovitz, Shlomo (Kibi, Shlomke)

Son of Rivka and Yitzhak, was born on December 23, 1923 in Rehovot, a descendant of a family of the founders of the moshava. When he was three years old, he was rescued from his father. Shlomo attended school in the village and in the children’s village Meir Shfeya, and later joined the “HaNoar HaOved” training program in Shfayim and Afikim. When he returned to Rehovot, he devoted himself to the Haganah. He was active in the “immigrant camps”. In 1940, he joined the Nutras at Tel Nof Airport. In 1941 he enlisted in the British Army, was posted to the Transport Corps, served in the Hebrew Transport Unit 650 and moved with her from Egypt to Europe. With his friends he offered great help to the refugees. Devoted all his time and savings to them, provided for their food, and led convoys to the shores of the country by misleading the policemen. Knowing the Italian language he had easily acquired helped him in this and the army tried to get jobs that would help him to help the refugees. Shlomo was particularly successful in the La Spezia affair, when the Italian authorities, under pressure from the British, arrested the illegal immigrant ship “Feda” and did not allow it to sail to Palestine. The ship was liberated only after a long hunger strike. At the end of World War he was released from the British army and immediately joined the army, without taking care of himself, and the vision of redemption and liberation always pushed him to sacrifice: “Were not we the sabras who should be the best and the most active?” When his comrades-in-army founded the drivers’ company in the Negev after leaving the water pipe, he joined them and led convoys, and soon became known for his white jeep that passed through the Negev. He was arrested by the British and always managed to escape, quiet and humble and admired by his many friends and friends when the war broke out Independence was annexed to the Palmach unit. Throughout the month of December 1947 he traveled twice a day at the head of the caravans from Nir Am with an open jeep without any armor or means of communication. He was not deterred by the dangers that lay in wait on his way, and he sang from the spirit of security on the entire convoy. On the 11th of Tevet 5708 (11.1.1948) his convoy was attacked near Kaouba-Shaar Hanegev. The convoy passed and he remained a rearguard. A bullet struck his temple and killed him. His body remained for some time in the hands of the enemy. A week later he was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Rehovot.