Simoni, Shachar

Son of Zahava and Mansur. He was born on August 10, 1973 in Ashkelon. Shahar began his studies at the Gordon Elementary School in Ashkelon, continued at the Yehezkel School in his hometown, and graduated from the Ronson High School in Ashkelon. Shahar was a dancer in the “Hora Ashkelon” group from the sixth grade, and continued to do so during his military service. He participated with the band in festivals where the band represented the city of Ashkelon and the country in Israel and abroad, and in March 1992 Shahar joined the IDF. He started a pilot course in the naval commando unit and did not finish. Later, he took a parachuting course and a course for squad commanders. During his last service, Shachar was a cadet in the Infantry Officers Course, and as a cadet, he stood out as a joyous, yet serious and thorough young man, who was eager to help his friends at all times, and his commanders watched him as a warrior and commander. On April 20, 1994, when he left his base, he was kidnapped by terrorists from the Hamas movement who disguised themselves as religious Jews when they boarded their car, and managed to injure the squad commander, but the terrorists overcame him and killed him. (21.4.1994), near the village of Beit Hanina. Shahar was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Ashkelon. On his tombstone was engraved “fell in battle”. He was twenty-one years old when he fell. Survived by parents, two brothers – Alon and Avichai and sister – Lipz. Shahar was promoted to lieutenant colonel after his death.