Remembering 6 of the Holy Land’s Fallen Heroes

Stand for Israel | April 27, 2020

A serene scene at the military cemetery at Mount Hertzl

Today, the people of Israel observe their Memorial Day, Yom HaZikaron. As the Jewish people remember the 23,186 brave men and women who laid down their lives for the Jewish state, Stand for Israel takes a look at half a dozen of these Holy Land heroes.

One of Israel’s Finest Sons

Yoni Netanyahu was commander of the elite IDF commando unit Sayeret Matkal, and was killed freeing more than a hundred hostages during Operation Entebbe. He was also the older brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Engraved in Our Hearts

Zvi Ofer served as an IDF soldier and commander in many of Israel’s wars, received the Israeli Medal of Valor, and was killed pursuing terrorists in 1968.

The Spy

Eli Cohen and two other men stand with their arms around each other at the Golan Heights — The Spy Who Helped Win the Six-Day War

Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy whose work in Syria led to his execution but also helped Israel win the Six-Day War, is now remembered in a popular Netflix series.

‘One of the Heroes of That Time’

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin talking about his childhood friend, Zvi "Freddy" Gross

A family friend from the childhood of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Zvi “Freddy” Gross died fighting for Israel’s independence.

‘I Could Have Been Twenty-Three’

Hannah Szenes was a Jewish poet from the Holy Land who parachuted into Nazi-occupied Europe during WWII to rescue Jews from the Nazis…and was ultimately executed for her actions.

Samson’s Foxes

Major General of the IDF Albert Mandler riding in an army car — Israelis You Should Know: Albert Mandler

Albert Mandler was an Israeli major general who was a hero of the Six-Day War of 1967 and was killed during 1973’s Yom Kippur War.