Landa, David-Zalman

The only son of Rachel and Pinchas Leib was born on January 4, 1931 in Jerusalem. David-Zalman studied at the Maaleh High School in Jerusalem and excelled in his talents. During his leisure time, he read and was interested in various fields of science and culture. When he was about 15 he joined the United Movement. Although he was not devout, he continued to study in the religious school and to observe the sanctity of the Sabbath and the tradition of the patriarchs in order to preserve the promise he made to his grandparents who had fallen victim to the persecution of the Nazis in Poland. He was known for his delicacy and his loving attitude toward the other. In the seventh grade of the religious high school he began to work in the Haganah and stood out for his devotion, courage and responsibility. After completing his studies, he joined the Palmach, the Harel Brigade, and took part in battles to defend Jerusalem and the breakthrough to it – at Sha’ar Hagai, Ein Karem, Sheikh Jarrah, Ramat Rachel, etc. On May 25, 1948, in the battle for Ramat Rahel, he was wounded in the back and legs and before he recovered completely from his wounds, he returned to his combat duties by saying: “There is something to do. When he returned to the army after his injury, he asked his parents’ friend: “Tell Avi and mother that they will behave well if I do not return and honor my death.” David Zalman fell on the 18th of Tammuz 5707 (18.7.1948) The second respite, in an assault on the Beit Nova strongholds that overlook the Ramallah-Latrun road, was buried in Sheikh Badr A. On August 30, 1950, he was laid to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem .