Zion, Benjamin

Son of Esther and Joseph, was born on May 31, 1924 in the city of Mary, Turkistan. He immigrated to Israel with his family in 1933. The parents settled in Afula and established a farm for them. He attended elementary school, completed six classes, and went to work at a young age. He acquired several professions in one house: he was a tractor driver, an electrician and a driver. From an early age he was active in the Haganah and at the age of 18 he became a police officer in the Jewish settlements and acquired expertise and experience in the use of various weapons. When he was released, he became an expert farmer. He especially liked the work on a tractor, and it was all planted during plowing or sowing. However, he continued to work in the Haganah, where he had served for eight consecutive years. In January 1948, at the beginning of the War of Independence, he joined the army and served as a convoys escort. When he received a short vacation, he wanted to use it to repair the tractor in his parents’ farm. To this end he went to Haifa to bring a new part to the spoiled place. In the city, he was caught by a rioters. Benjamin was killed on the 10th of Adar I 5708 (February 20, 1948.) He was brought to rest at the military cemetery in Afula.