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Nirel, Gil

Nirel, Gil


Son of Mordechai and Malka. Born on 29 August 1957 in Tel Aviv, Gil was a descendant of families of dreamers and warriors, and his grandfather, Reuven of Jerushenko, was a member of a family of Sabbotniks who had come to Israel at the end of the century Rabbi Aharon Keller, one of the founders of his mother’s family, was one of the founders of Ramat Gan and one of the first industrialists in Israel, and was a member of the Lehi underground that fought in the British. From childhood, Gil drank thirstily for the stories of heroism and sacrifice of the pre-state days, and there is no doubt that these stories left their mark on him and set the path for him. Gil studied at the Yahalom Elementary School and continued his studies at the Ort Banim High School in Ramat Gan. One of his teachers. Mr. Dotan summarizes Gil’s period of study: “He began his studies in school as a teenager and ended up as a young man with ideas, ideals and healthy thoughts.” His English teacher, Ms. Nili Leopert, said: “Gil was not satisfied with the ease, soon and willingly. , He strove for serious, real, even if asked to invest a lot to achieve this. For a certain period of time he learned to play the piano, but he devoted most of his attention to sports, especially in the handball game. He was a member of the school team in this branch and as a member of the Maccabi Petah Tikva team, he represented the State of Israel in an international tournament. Which took place in 1974 in Germany and Luxembourg. “From the beginning Gili stood out as an uncompromising fighter, with great will and exemplary behavior,” says his coach at the time, Yaakov Herling. In July 1974, when the team won an international tournament held in the city of Aberhorn. In games played in the pouring rain, Gili showed excellent ability, which brought him compliments from the German hosts. Gili, with his characteristic modesty, refused to accept the compliments and replied that fame belongs to the whole team and not to one player only. This sentence is typical of Gili, the quiet, modest actor. Responsible and blessed of the talents that the animals had killed in Abu. Gil was a handsome young man with blue eyes and a pleasant smile on his face, yet he was shy and sometimes withdrawn into himself, which added to his charm. Gil was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces in early October 1975. He was sent to the technical school where he underwent basic training, and Gil was not convinced of the importance of his role in the IDF. The reconnaissance unit underwent a second basic training course and a parachuting course, a course for squadron commanders, a training course for a combat unit, and a course for command and control units in the paratroopers’ battalions. His commanders, who realized his potential, tried to send him to an officers’ course, but Gil became a heaven and earth until they agreed to leave him in the brigade’s auxiliary company. Arik, who was supposed to go out with Gil to the officers’ course, says: “The joy that gripped us, especially at my age, is not hard to describe, and Gili gave me a huge blow that left me impressed for a long time.” Gil was one of the best soldiers. One of Gil’s great loves was on the beach while on holiday. He likes to play in “kites,” to row in the “haska” and sunbathe. On October 18, 1977, Gil fell in the army cemetery in Kiryat Shaul and left behind his parents, two sisters and a brother, and his commandment eulogized him after his death: “As a clear expression of his young life, he volunteered Gil is the best in the units, the toughest of them, the paratroopers … In the framework of the unit, Gil played many important roles. He was one of the pillars of his platoon and auxiliary company where he served. His willingness to help others was known to all, and his friends were often given the full help and assistance they needed. “

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