Named after the late Captain Eliel Ben-Yehuda
Eliel Ben-Yehuda was born on 14 June 1982 in Kfar Tavor. Son to Arie and Ester, brother to Rotem and Gilad. Since his childhood Eliel heard stories of his uncle, Yossi Eliel, who fell in the battle of the Beaufort in the 1982 Lebanon War. Eliel enlisted in 2000 to “Sayeret Golani” (the commando company of the Golani Regiment). After his officers course he returned to be a platoon commander in the 12th battalion and later went on to be a commander in “Orev Golani” (the special anti- tank company).
Eliel loved his work in the army and felt it was his mission. With all his might he tried to give his soldiers the same sense of mission and instill in them the Zionistic values he believed in so much.
On August 13th 2006, during an exchange of fire between the IDF and the Hizbullah, Eliel was hit by an anti tank missile while evacuating the wounded. An honorary decoration was awarded to him by the commander of the northern command – Benny Gantz, for his courage in completing the mission, his responsibility, personal example and comradeship.
Eliel – an honorable man, an educator, in love with his country and its people. A man who believed in the good of people and gave them a chance, an even chance regardless of race, gender or religion. With his enterprising leadership, capability of asking tough questions and receiving tougher answers – he showed us the way.