Najjar, Yaakov (Yankel)

Son of Sweden and Shalom, was born on September 23, 1932 in the city of Kedar, Yemen. He immigrated to Israel on April 30, 1943, and settled in the Neve Zion neighborhood of Rishon Letzion. He was a member of the “Haganah” from his youth, where he trained. His friends called him Yankel. He graduated from elementary school and from the age of 14 began working in agriculture. He also learned to play the accordion and the harmonica. With the declaration of the state, he enlisted and served in the Alexandroni Brigade, although he had not yet had to enlist. His commander testified that all the members of his unit respected him for his quiet nature and courage in battle. Yaakov did not complain about the difficulties and adapt to every situation. He was a good machine gunner and knew how to handle his weapon properly. Yaakov participated in many battles, including fighting in the outposts near Tulkarem and the Negev. During Operation Horev, a “liquidation” operation was carried out against the “Faluja pocket,” in which an Egyptian brigade was besieged. The attack took place on the eastern flank of the “pocket” in the area of ​​Iraq al-Manshiyya. The Alexandroni forces broke into the village from the south and took over part of it, but their assault on the hill north of the village was repulsed. Meanwhile, the Egyptians recovered and attacked and forced our forces to withdraw. Part of the force was trapped inside the village. In this battle he fell on the 28th of Kislev 5709 (December 28, 1948). He encouraged his friends and urged them to move forward until the last moments of his life. He was buried in Faluja. On the 17th of Kislev 5710 (8.12.1949) he was transferred to the eternal rest of the military cemetery at Nahalat Yitzhak.