Motilov, Michael (“Micah”)

Son of Dov and Hinda. His father was one of the veteran members of the Haganah in Haifa and his mother was a member of the Haganah in Tel Aviv. He was born on July 1, 1947 in Haifa and studied at the Reali School in Haifa. He was a counselor in the “Scouts” movement and devoted most of his time to training, so that sometimes he would neglect his studies. He loved his apprentices and cared for them as a big brother. For his public activity he received the school prize. He loved the country, its land and its landscape, and he walked enthusiastically in all its length and breadth. During his free time he read a lot, mainly history books and books about the history of the Yishuv and the state. Micha was drafted into the IDF in August 1965 and was an outstanding soldier, an excellent officer and a courageous fighter, and after he was discharged from regular service he was twice answered by the IDF and during the break he volunteered for permanent army service. Michael, in the course of his duties, to take possession of a mine in the central sector of the Suez Canal near the Purden Bridge and was put to rest at the military cemetery in Haifa. Brigadier General Rafael Eitan, a paratrooper and infantry officer, wrote to the bereaved parents a letter of condolence on the death of their son, whom he personally knew during his regular army service, among other things: “The military framework did not always suit his spirit. But he accepted things because it was their nature. But his service in the canal was appropriate to his character and his service must be resourceful and courageous. There is no consolation and action that will reduce pain. . . But remember that your son Michael fell on the borders of the State of Israel, on borders with a lot of blood spilled on them. Remember that all of us continue in the same way and will not be deterred by the memory of the fallen. “In memory of Micha (and of Segal Mordechai), a memorial stone was erected at the place where they fell.