Shaker, Haim

Son of Ariella and Mordecיai was born on December 4, 1951 in Haifa, where he studied at the “Aliyah” elementary school in Bat Galim and continued his studies at the “Sprinzak” vocational high school. In 1950, Haim enlisted in the IDF, where he completed his high school studies. He wanted to volunteer for an elite unit, and hoped to serve in the paratroopers. He was happy when he was posted to the Haruv reconnaissance unit. Haim underwent a parachuting course, a combat paramedics course and a squadron commander’s course, and in October 1971 he was promoted to corporal. Haim spent most of his life in ambushes and pursuits along the lines in the Jordan Valley and the northern border, and in 1973 Haim was released from compulsory duty with the rank of sergeant, along with his comrades in the unit. He went on a trip to Western Europe, where they learned of the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, and hurried from Spain to France, arriving at the Israeli Embassy in Paris, and on the first occasion were sent by plane to Israel to the northern front. He served in reserve duty, and when the war ended. He returned to Israel, where he began working as a Gadna instructor at the “Sammat” school in Haifa, where he worked as a student at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Haim worked in Amidar for two years and was responsible for the renovation of houses in the Galilee, where he worked for Amidar for two years. At the outbreak of the Peace for Galilee War, he was called for reserve duty. He fought as a sergeant, combat medic, in the breach of the Beirut-Damascus highway, near the village of Mansuria. On 2 Tamuz, June 23, 1982, in a battle with a Syrian commando, he heard his wounded friend crying out for help, and he was hit by the enemy’s fire and killed. He was buried at the military cemetery in Haifa. He left behind his parents and brother, and Prime Minister Menachem Begin wrote about him in a letter of condolence he sent to his family: “The good son gave his life for an unjust and noble goal: to ensure life and peace for a man, wife and child in Israel. His name will be forever forgotten in the history of the nation. His character will be exemplary to all the sons, from generation to generation.” Defense Minister Ariel Sharon wrote to his family: “Haim was one of the oldest soldiers in the company.” Haim fought heroically in a face-to-face battle with the Syrian commando in the fighting on the Damascus-Beirut axis,” the commander of his unit wrote. “He was injured and killed when he gave first aid to one of his wounded soldiers. Thanks to him and his friends, the enemy was repulsed and the IDF’s control over the route was assured.”