Weissberg, Gal

Son of Yael and Alexander. He was born on May 11, 1960 in Haifa. Gal began his studies at the elementary school in Romema and completed his studies at the Reali School – both in Haifa with a real track. During his studies, he joined the Scouts movement, the wandering tribe. Gal liked to read classical literature, such as Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and devoted every spare moment to reading. Gal was drafted into the IDF at the beginning of 1979 and was stationed in the Nahal with his comrades in the “Eshbal” nucleus. He began his service as a colonel in Kibbutz Geva in the Jezreel Valley, but was disappointed with his colleagues who were not serious about working in the kibbutz, and he was afraid that they were evasive and he was working hard and he did not accept that their work on the kibbutz did not even cover the cost of their maintenance. He completed a basic pilot course, a senior pilot course, a parachuting course, and an advanced aviation course, and on 17 March 1981 he was awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel. Gal flew on Skyhawks, Phantom and F-16s and even went on to study at the Military Academy of Education. During his service he taught for about two years at the flight school, and as a member of the school’s aerobatic team participated in the aerobatics demonstrations. His commanders’ assessments and manner of functioning were: “An excellent officer and a very good pilot;” “Very good officer and guide;” “A good officer and a nurse.” “A very good officer, a high professional level.” Upon completion of his position as a guide, Gal returned to his unit and was promoted to captain. Gal had an uncompromising personal integrity, regardless of whether it was small or big. He had a lively political consciousness and he had an abundance of will to do and intend to try and correct our reality in Israel. At the end of the period of the permanent service contract, in March 1986, Gal went on unpaid leave for a period of six months, during which he traveled for three months in the United States. Upon his return, his commanders asked him to return to service, due to the need for additional pilots due to the absorption of modern aircraft in the air force. Gal accepted the request. On 8 October 1986, his plane crashed while on a training flight, and he was left in the military cemetery in Haifa, leaving his parents and brother Ephraim in a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, Gal came to us a few years ago. A young man, blond, smiling, with clear blue eyes, a penetrating gaze demanding the depth of things. In his characteristic way – quietly, with a smile – he asked, demanded and expressed his opinion even if it was contrary to the prevailing wind. It was customary to discuss, analyze situations and possibilities with a kind of ease that is not typical of our achievement society. Over time, we discovered a gentle wave of soul and personal and intellectual integrity, which are hard to find. The order of conscience, sense of justice and reason – were the road signs throughout. He was famous for his love for the country, its landscapes and its trenches. “His memoirs were published in the Yedioth Ahronoth and Maariv newspapers, where his friends erected a monument to his memory at the site of his plane crash and they board it once a year.