Page 44 - HaMizrachi Yom HaAtzmaut AUS 2021

Yaakov’s determination and refusal to That night, Tzion Ezer, a soldier on two other injured soldiers ran to the
back down became a symbol of the guard, heard noises. He climbed to the bunker, as their comrades once again
IDF’s fighting spirit. Through their cou- lookout point and saw what seemed like cleared the post of Syrian soldiers. But
rageous actions, Yaakov’s team helped the entire Syrian Army approaching Yossi could not sit there while his men
pave the way for Israel to liberate the them in tanks. were fighting for their lives.
Golan Heights. The next morning the Syrian tanks He climbed up and saw the entire valley
began bombarding Post 116. The sol- smoking, realizing the battle was right
diers stood their ground, and began here on his doorstep. He thought it
firing at the tanks. One by one, the would take weeks for the IDF to send
Syrian tanks went up in flames. them supplies but just then, he spot-
Still, three of them managed to reach ted a jeep driving into the camp. As an
Israeli soldier took aim, he yelled, “It’s
The Military Post That Held the post. ours!”
Back the Syrian Army The first rolled into the gate and
straight over a mine; Yossi watched Both Yossi and Tzion received awards
October 1973. for their bravery. Because of their cour-
the white powder spill onto the basalt
On Friday morning, October 6th, Erev stones but it failed to explode and the age and refusal to back down, the small
Yom Kippur, Second Lieutenant Yossi Syrians advanced. military Post 116 of a handful of soldiers
Gur took charge of Military Post 116 Soon Syrian soldiers were jumping out managed to delay the Syrian army from
in the southern Golan, replacing the and the cry could be heard, “Syrians in advancing into Israel before backup
reserve officer who had gone home that the post!” troops arrived.
morning. Yossi had no idea he would
soon be leading Israel’s defense in the Tzion threw a grenade into the Syrian
Yom Kippur War. tank as his men attacked the enemy
soldiers and managed to clear the post
of enemy infiltrators.

They did not yet understand they were Saving His Unit With Shema Yisrael
at war.
July 26, 2006.
On Sunday at 10 am, 116 received the
message that Israel was at war. It was Ro’i Klein’s Hebrew birthday, and
Roi, deputy commander of the Golani
Five Syrian tanks approached the post. Brigade’s 51st Battalion, was heavily
Yossi felt shrapnel as bullets exploded engaged in the Second Lebanon War.
around him. He aimed, and hit the first He and his unit were fighting in the
Syrian tank. He aimed again, and hit Battle of Bint Jbeil, one of the main
the second. The tanks didn’t explode,
but Yossi managed to stop them. Three battles in the war.
remaining tanks were advancing as the Suddenly, Hezbollah terrorists
firing continued. ambushed Roi’s unit and threw a hand
grenade over the wall near the Israeli
Yossi was hit in the arm and appointed soldiers.
Tzion to take charge. The Syrians,
seeing two of their tanks had been Ro’i saw the grenade land, and knew it
stopped, began to retreat. would explode in a matter of seconds,
giving no time for his comrades to take
The following morning, the Syrians
attacked Post 116 again. Tzion heard cover.
yelling in Arabic and knew the enemy Ro’i Klein cried out, “Shema Yisrael
was right there, in the post. Yossi and Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad!” and

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