Portuguese, Irit

Daughter of Nelly and Moshe, was born on 29.11.1964 in Moshav Kochav Michael Shabl, near Ashkelon. She was the daughter of parents who immigrated from Argentina and settled in the moshav. Irit started her elementary studies at the Nitzanim educational institution and continued to study in the junior high school at the Rogozin vocational school in Kiryat Gat. She completed her high school studies at the Telam school in Ashkelon, where she studied bookkeeping, and in March 1983 she enlisted in the IDF and served in the Intelligence Corps. She stood out as a leader with a sense of justice and knew how to stand up for her opinions. After training for basic training, she was sent to a Field Security Clerk course, passed a driver’s course and an Intelligence Research course. In March 1984, she was awarded the rank of corporal, and on the 13th of Nissan, 5744 (13.4.1984), she took a bus ride near Ashkelon, where a terrorist squad took control of the bus and several of the passengers were injured. Among the casualties was an Irish wife who was murdered by the terrorists. She was 19 when she died. She was laid to rest on the seat where she was born, star Michael Shabl. Her grave was designated as a military tomb in the Moshav cemetery. She left behind her parents, two sisters and a brother. In a letter of condolence to the family, she wrote, among other things, a passenger who was on the bus that was kidnapped on the last hours of Irit: “Shoshana Hagai, who was seriously injured, suffered from breathing difficulties and pain in the legs, Linked the passengers with the terrorists and every request was transferred to it. She rode the bus freely and came with the terrorists to understand that she did not need permission. Irit was worried that all the passengers would get drinking water, I did not want to drink, and Irit whispered to me to pour the water on the seat and around it so that if the terrorists used the combustible material they would not have much damage. Irit asked them to bring blankets to the wounded, to help all the women in improvised toilets, to keep on the bus and to find out what would be helpful. “Defense Minister Moshe Arens wrote in a letter of condolence to her family:” An Irish corporal gave her life for her country. She fell in a terrorist attack on a bus near Ashkelon. She served in the Intelligence Corps. Was a devoted and responsible soldier, a born and beloved leader for everyone she knew. “Her unit commander wrote to her family:” Irit served in the unit for over a year. She carried out the work she was given with vigor, devotion, responsibility and diligence. During her service her qualities were expressed as a natural leader, with a sense of justice, while taking responsibility for everything around her. The personal example she gave the entire unit in her behavior will continue to accompany us as an example of a model soldier “