Falzur cruise - in memory of Esther and Reuven Falzur who were murdered in Cyprus • Things in their memory and the story of the attack in Cyprus

In September 1985, two Palestinian terrorists and their British accomplice murdered the couple Esther and Reuven Falzur and their friend Avraham Avneri, on a yacht in Larnaca's marina.
From then until today, 34 years, the Carmel Sailing Club and today the Carmel Sailing Community hold a flotilla in memory of the Falzur couple on the weekend adjacent to the Ahi Eilat cruise and the youth cruise in memory of Almog and Regev who were murdered in the Maksim restaurant attack.

This year, in the fickle weather, about 30 ships joined them in the sea and at the exit of the Kishon port, boats of the following models: swallows, seafarers, sonars and other teenagers gathered in other ships for a short sea ceremony, at the end of which flowers were placed in the sea and with a short siren, the sea ceremony ended and we moved on to the sailing competition.

The following are words written in their memory by Alon Falzor - the grandson of the Falzor couple:

From a young age, the name "Pelzur" has accompanied me and symbolizes something in me that can sometimes be much more significant than my first name - the special family I came from and the connection to my grandparents whom I unfortunately did not get to know. I see great honor and immense pride in the fact that we continue to hold this flotilla in their honor and memory year after year. I was born about 6 years after the murder, but even though my brothers and I did not know them, I feel that their path accompanies us in the paths we chose. The sea is a significant part of our family identity, the cruises on the "First" (grandparents' yacht) shaped our childhood years and built us mental and physical resilience that accompany us in life's challenges. One of the most amazing things for me to see is the way the family coped and managed to grow despite the trauma - my father, his brother and sisters have remained united, close and supportive of each other to this day. Esther and Reuven Falzor currently have 9 successful grandchildren, each in their own field, and another great-grandson on the way, and I'm sure they would be proud to see the Falzor family today, along with all the sailors who join every year to take part in the flotilla.

Who were the Palzur couple whose stamp is so strongly imprinted in the field of sailing in Israel:

All these years Reuven Pelzur was an enthusiastic member of the 'Carmel' club - the Haifa sailing club. He was also active and an instructor in the leadership of the Sea Scouts, Haifa. In the early 1980s he realized his dream and together with another partner purchased a yacht: 'First'. At every opportunity he went on cruises with his family or with friends, to Cyprus and the Greek islands.
In 1957 Reuven married Esther nee Noi. The couple established their home in Haifa, and their children Tali, Yohai, Merav and Elam were born. Reuven served as the secretary of the seamen's union, and then managed the center for welfare services for seamen. In the XNUMXs, he was a personnel manager in various enterprises, the last of which was the 'channel' of Kibbutz Mishmerat.
 Esther Palzor is a partner in Reuven's life and sailing hobby, in the last years of her life she stopped working, and devoted her time to volunteer organizations. Esther was the secretary of the Haifa branch of the Cancer Society, and worked extensively to deepen awareness among women for early screening for breast cancer.

On Tuesday, 24/09/1985, Reuven went sailing together with his wife, Esther, and their friend, Avraham Avneri. On the night of Yom Kippur, 25/09/1985, the yacht was docked at the Larnaca marina. At 04:30 in the morning, three armed terrorists boarded the yacht. They shot and killed Esther while she was on board. Avraham And they forced Reuven to the beds in the living room. For a long time, the three terrorists negotiated with the Cyprus authorities. At some point, for reasons that have not been clarified, they executed Avraham and Reuven by shooting them in the head, and handed themselves over to the local police.

Reuven was 53 years old when he died, Esther was 50 years old when she died. They left behind four children, they were laid to rest in the Haifa cemetery. Since then their children and later their grandchildren tied their fate to the sea and maritime education in Israel. With diligence, professionalism and endless giving, the Falzur family contributes and promotes sailing and maritime education in Israel. A great pride for the Carmel sailing community is that all the family members and their descendants are part of us and in the blessed work for the maritime field in Israel.

We will continue in their way and their generosity during the days of the Falzur couple to strengthen maritime education in Israel.