On Tuesday morning (2/4/2025), the annual memorial ceremony for the fallen of the "Hagana" organization who fell in the battle for the liberation of Haifa and in defense of the homeland 77 years ago, on the eve of Passover XNUMX, was held in the "Hagana" and XNUMX Fallen Section of the Haifa Military Cemetery.
The ceremony was attended by members and fighters of the "Hagana" organization in Haifa: Yehudit Yehezkali, Eliezer Amir וAyala Ron, Haifa Municipality representative and City Council member – Zvika Barbie, Secretary of the "Hagana" Heritage Association – Yossi Soravich, Chairman of the "Hagana" branch in Haifa and the North – Zvi Fatal, representative of the "Hagana" branch in Haifa – Nitzan Raziel, members of fallen families, 10th grade students and teachers at the Basmat Hadashad Technological School, and the school principal.
The moving ceremony was led by Abraham (my father) Ziegler, a graduate of the school and its principal for 11 years, who initiated the students' deep involvement in this important heritage.
During the morning, while the memorial was held in the 578th section, hundreds of Haifa students marched along the battle routes of the "Carmeli" Brigade in the city, a tradition that takes place every year.
"About two weeks after the partition decision on December 11, 1947 and about six months before the battle to liberate Haifa," was the headline in the newspaper "Davar," quoted the student Basmat, David Feldman:
"Day of attacks in Haifa – "The Defense" uproots the attackers from their positions. Haifa's day began yesterday, as usual in recent days, with Arab rioters rampaging around the market in the lower city...
"The Haganah repelled a fierce attack by rioters"
One of the events was described below: "Yesterday, the Haganah repelled a fierce attack by rioters on the Hadrat Kodesh synagogue on the Prophets' Steps. At ten o'clock in the afternoon, they attacked the synagogue from the direction of Stanton Street, and the Haganah opened fire, wounding one of the attackers. After the wounded man was taken out, the synagogue was attacked again from four directions. One bullet hit the Haganah room and wounded him in the shoulder, but the wounded man covered his wound and continued his duty, hitting two of the attackers..."
Honor and appreciation to the 22nd Battalion of the "Carmali" Brigade
Zvika Barbie, a member of the Haifa City Council, spoke on behalf of the Haifa Municipality:
"Today, we gather here to express respect and appreciation to the 22nd Battalion of the Carmeli Brigade, a glorious battalion that left a deep mark on the history of the State of Israel and its security.
Since its establishment, the 22nd Battalion has been the spearhead of the defense of the northern settlements, from Haifa to the borders of the Galilee. The battalion's brave fighters stood bravely in the decisive battles of the War of Independence, when the "Carmeli" Brigade fought for Israel's freedom.
Over the years, Battalion 22 continued to protect, operate, and contribute to maintaining the security of the country. Its soldiers and commanders were an example and role model for the values of bravery, sacrifice, determination, and love of country. They embarked on complex missions, fought bravely, faced complex challenges, and always returned strengthened in spirit.
When we remember the fallen and those who gave their lives for the country, our hearts are filled with infinite gratitude. We owe them our independence and the ability to live in a prosperous country.
Battalion 22, you are a symbol of dedication and pride. You are not only part of the glorious past of the IDF, but also the shapers of its future. You have the responsibility to continue the path of those who came before you, to maintain the vision, and to be a beacon of hope and courage.
On behalf of all those present here today, on behalf of the citizens of Israel, I want to thank you, soldiers and commanders, for your service, for your relentless effort, and for your commitment to the security of the state.
May the memory of the fallen be blessed, and may your future be filled with victories and peace. Thank you!
"About a week before the battles to liberate Haifa, the Palmach tried to capture the fortress of Nebi Yoshua in the Naftali Mountains," said a student in Basmat, Michael Orphan"During the attempted occupation, 28 fighters were killed, including three graduates of our school: Amnon Ackerman, Eliezer Puterman וEliezer Shevat His elder brother, Menachem Shevat The late, also a graduate of the SMT, fell three months later, in the battles of the "Carmali" brigade in the Jenin area.
Industrialist Steph Wertheimer, who passed away last week at the age of 98, established the "Evil" Museum on the grounds of the citadel, where one can learn the deep meaning of the evils that began in the Palmach and continue to this day.
Nitzan Raziel Spoke on behalf of the "Hagana" organization and the "Team" organization, an IDF retiree organization:
"We salute and cherish the memory of the fighters who fell in the battles for the liberation of Haifa on Passover Eve. We enlisted as a continuation of the "Hagana" in Haifa, and we joined in the continuity of the commemoration project and its integration into educational activities in the schools in Haifa. We thank the principal of the Basmat School, the dear students, and all those who work to preserve the legacy of the Hagana."
In her opening remarks, she praised Yehudit Yehezkali, a fighter for the "Hagana" organization and the Palmach, to the principal of the Basmat School for his activities over the years to instill the legacy of 1948 among the school's students.
"We met today to honor and salute the fighters who, with their heart's blood, liberated Haifa in 22," she said. "Primarily the soldiers of the "Carmeli" Brigade from Battalion XNUMX."
Watch the attached video, which contains an excerpt from Yehudit's words, which recounted the battles for the liberation of Haifa on Passover Eve 77, XNUMX years ago.
◄ Yehudit Yehezkeli on the battle for the liberation of Haifa at the annual memorial ceremony • Watch
Ayala Ron, a member of the "Hagana", dedicated her remarks to the commemoration of her husband, Motka Ron, a man of many actions, who is also buried in the military cemetery.
A few months ago, in October 2024, I told here in an extended article about the life story of the Ron couple and you are invited to read it. A link to read the article is attached – "Shirley Temple of Haifa, 95 years old – the story of "Hagana" member Ayala Ron and her husband Motka Ron."
Abby Ziegler, the principal of the new Basmat school, quoted the words of Yitzhak Sadeh, the mythical Palmach commander, to the youth, 77 years ago:
"Youth, listen! Someone out there is holding the scales of our lives in his hands. And the scales are going up and down, up and down.
On one hand – the Holocaust of Israel, the resurrection of Israel, the war of Israel.
And on the other hand – commercial and political intrigues, and intrigues – they weigh heavily.
Youth, remember! When the time comes, throw yourself on the scales, throw yourself with strength and courage. This will decide, the balance will change. Youth, listen!
"In the spring of 2023, six months before the October XNUMX disaster," he said. my father"We stood here, read those same sentences and added a quote from President Herzog's words to the people:
"Anyone who thinks that civil war is a limit we won't reach has no idea."
The president's warning is also relevant these days, and even more so. And so that the president's prediction does not come true, and so that the fall of the warriors buried here at our hands will not be in vain, you too, students of Basmat, choose the right scale, the scale on which the history and future of our people rest, to be a free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem."
The placement of foreigners
The ceremony concluded with the singing of the national anthem, "Hatikvah," with great hope beating in hearts.
To liberate a city means to leave no trace of it.
Who ruled your city, but today in my city there are
Demonstrations by supporters of terrorism with terrorist flags and no
It's open here, it's no longer quietly in the fields, it's blatantly on the street
In your face, the terror seems to be flowing and showing its face.
Of those we seek to give equality and non-discrimination
Fixing all this in our face, the flag of terror
The man tells me you're not legitimate.
And the supporters of terrorism are the danger to our citizens and those who ignore
That's why he's stupid.