Raphaelovich, Eliezer (Zia)

Son of Hannah and Reuven, was born on December 30, 1921 in the city of Vitebsk, Russia, to Zionist parents whose home was the center of the Zionist movement in their city. When he was four, his parents immigrated to Israel in 1925 and settled in Petah Tikva. Where he graduated from elementary school. Eliezer was a member of Hanoar Haoved and an activist in the Haganah. In the days he worked and the Arabs devoted to studies and training. During the bloody riots of 1936-1939, he was in the group of connections. He later joined the Jewish settlement police and spent most of his time there devoted to the Haganah. According to the order of the institutions, he enlisted in the British Army. In 1944 he was attached to the Jewish Brigade and fought in the Italian front. Eliezer miraculously survived when his machine gun was hit in battle. He gave up his vacation and went through all of Europe and his mission was to help the Jewish refugees and to aid in illegal immigration. When he was released he returned to his work in the Hagana and was trained and trained by commanders. During the War of Independence, in May 1948, he enlisted and served in the 7th Brigade. Despite the demands to leave him in the place, he continued to instruct commanders. He was a kind man, diligent, serious and modest in his ways. He never thought he deserved praise and recognition for his excellence. His life was devoted to work and protection. He educated hundreds of Haganah commanders, including those who later held responsible positions in the Israel Defense Forces. When the state came into being, he said: “Those who are dying to die many times must also fight again.” Participated with his platoon in Operation son of-Nun Bet, the second attack on the legion in Latrun, with the aim of breaking through the road to Jerusalem. There was a force that broke into the Latrun police yard, but encountered heavy fire, suffered casualties and was forced to retreat. This battle fell on May 30, 1948. On the 17th of Cheshvan 5710 (17.11.1949) he was transferred to the eternal military cemetery at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.