Roi Klein
| Roi Klein | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 10, 1975 Ra'anana, Israel |
| Died |
July 26, 2006 (aged 31) Bint Jbeil, Southern Lebanon |
| Allegiance |
 Israel |
| Service/branch | Israeli Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Battalion 51 of the Golani Brigade |
| Commands held | Deputy battalion commander |
| Battles/wars |
2006 Lebanon War *Battle of Bint Jbeil |
| Awards | Medal of Courage |
Roi Klein (Hebrew: רועי קליין; IPA: [ʁoˈʕi klain]; (July 10, 1975—July 26, 2006) was an Israeli major in the Golani Brigade of the Israeli Defense Forces (and one of its most highly decorated soldiers) who died during the 2006 Lebanon War.[1] Klein was killed in the Battle of Bint Jbeil after jumping on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers.[1]
Early life
Klein was born in Raanana, Israel. His parents, Aharon and Shoshana Klein, were Holocaust survivors.[2] His father's side originated from Germany and fled to Palestine at the onset of World War II.[3] Most of his mother's family was killed in the Holocaust.[3]
Klein studied Industrial Engineering and Management at Ariel University Center of Samaria, and graduated with honors.
Klein lived in a home he built on his own in the Israeli outpost of Hayovel, near Eli, Mateh Binyamin. He was married to Sara and had two sons: Gilad and Yoav.[4]
Israel Defense Forces
Klein began his IDF service in the Paratroopers Brigade but later transferred to the Golani Brigade's Egoz Reconnaissance Unit. In 2002, Klein received a Chief of Staff Citation for his conduct during an ambush near Nablus. At the time of his death, Klein was the deputy commander of the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade.[5]
Battle of Bint Jbeil
During the Battle of Bint Jbeil, a hand grenade was thrown over the wall that was between Hezbollah militants, and Klein and his unit. Klein told his men "Klein's dead, Klein's dead" and subsequently jumped on the live grenade and muffled the explosion with his body. The soldiers reported that Klein recited the Jewish prayer, Shema Yisrael, as he jumped on the grenade.[6] [2][3][4] According to The Telegraph he yelled "Long live Israel",[5] although this was probably a misinterpretation of "Shema Yisrael".
Legacy
Roi Klein became a symbol for heroism in Israel. A new school in Netanya and Raanana have been named after him.[7]
For his actions during the war Klein received the Medal of Courage posthumously.[8]
In July 2009, the Israel High Court of Justice ruled,inequitable, to demolish the home of Roi Klein, where his family was residing, among 11 homes in Eli.[1][2]
References
- 1 2 3 "Dead soldier's West Bank home at risk". United Press International. July 14, 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
- 1 2 3 Lazaroff, Tovah; Dan Izenberg (July 17, 2009). "Family of Golani hero may lose home". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
- 1 2 3 Meotti, Giulio (2010). A New Shoah: The Untold Story of Israel's Victims of Terrorism. Encounter Books. p. 386. ISBN 978-1-59403-477-0.
- 1 2 Katz, Yossi (2010). A Voice Called: Stories of Jewish Heroism. Gefen Publishing House. p. 193. ISBN 978-965-229-480-7.
- 1 2 Butcher, Tom (9 August 2007). "Israel honours bravery of armed forces". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
- ↑ Lubotzky, Asael (2016). From the Wilderness and Lebanon. Koren Publishers Jerusalem. p. 56-57. ISBN 978-1592644179.
- ↑ Netanya weekly, 22/08/2006 (Hebrew)
- ↑ HaLevi, Ezra. "'Medal of Courage' to be Awarded to Fallen Maj. Ro'i Klein". Artuz Sheva. Israel National News. Retrieved December 24, 2011.