Yehia, Yehezkel

Born in 1946 in Iraq, the son of Rivka Wai lived in Iraq and immigrated to Israel in 1950. After settling in Ma’abarot, she settled in Moshav Ein Ya’akov in the Western Galilee in 1953. The settlement was new, without permanent homes And with difficult living conditions, the family lived in tents and shacks, and their livelihood was very limited, but despite this difficult period, the parents were worried about the education of their son. “Yehezkel studied at Arazim School in Ma’alot, and when he finished eight classes, And was sent to study at the “Iron” agricultural school in Hadera, where he studied classes and was forced to stop his studies because his help was needed in his own household Sit down. Yehezkel was asked to help support the family. Yehezkel was a member of the Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed movement of the moshavim. He loved sports and played football in his seat. In November 1963 he enlisted in the IDF, and after completing basic training he was assigned to serve in the Military Police, where he successfully completed several courses, was promoted to the rank of corporal, Yechezkel returned to Moshav Ein Ya’akov and worked as a farmer. At the same time, one of the stages in the settlement of the Galilee began by moshavim who had returned from military service. In 1966 Yechezkel settled in Moshav Netu’a, near the Lebanese border. There he built his house, married the local teacher and his three children were born. His role in the moshav was planting. He was elected to the moshav committee and fulfilled his duties voluntarily and with dedication. In 1980, Yehezkel asked his IDF commanders to transfer him to the regional defense unit, because he believed that he would be able to contribute more in his service to the regional defense. In the Peace for Galilee War, Yehezkel volunteered for reserve duty in Lebanon. On the 23rd of Sivan 5743 (23.5.1983) he was on a tour of the Nabatiye sector. The patrol encountered an ambush of terrorists who opened fire, and Yechezkel was hit and killed. He was 37 years old when he died. Defense Minister Moshe Arens wrote to his family: “Yehezkel volunteered for every position, and was loved by his surroundings.” The commander of his unit wrote to his family: “Yehezkel was known as a quiet and modest man who carried out all the tasks he was assigned, without bitterness, and at the most difficult times volunteered to help his friends.” Yehezkel was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Nahariya. He left behind a wife, two sons, a daughter, a brother and a sister