The well-known Etzal fighter Jacob Sika Aharoni passed away today (Monday) at the age of 101. Sika, as his many friends and acquaintances called him, was one of the bravest of the underground fighters and, among other things, participated in the Etzal operation in Iraq which contributed to saving thousands of Jews from the Farhud riots.
Sika infiltrated Iraq with a team of four fighters, including the commander of the IDF, David Raziel, who was killed in action. Their original goal was to blow up infrastructure facilities used by the Nazi army, however, during the operation, the goal was changed to gather intelligence regarding German military forces on the road leading to Baghdad.
Sika was sent deep into Iraq with Etzal fighter Jacob Terazi, and the two - who risked capture by Bedouin tribes, local forces or German forces - managed to return safely. They reported to the British that the road to Baghdad was clear, which led to the almost immediate entry of the British army into the city and the cessation of riots Parhud, and thus the lives of many Jews were saved.
Ya'akov Sika Aharoni with former President Reuven Rivlin at the opening ceremony of the "Wall Company" museum in Jerusalem (archive), photo: Presidential Palace Spokesperson
During the Sazon period he was kidnapped by the Haganah, violently interrogated, handed over to the British and deported from the country to Africa.
After the establishment of the state, Sikka enlisted in the IDF and served as an instructor in the artillery corps. As a citizen, he developed a successful career as a writer, poet, journalist and publicist, and some of his books entered the curriculum of the Ministry of Education. At the same time, Sikka served for many years as a member of the Ramat Gan city council. Until the Islamic Revolution He served as an emissary on behalf of the State of Israel in Iran. He married Etzal fighter Rachel Aharoni Avisher and they had five children.
The prime minister-designate, Binyamin Netanyahu, issued a special announcement following Sika's death, saying: "This morning I received the news - 'Sika is gone,' and I felt great pain. The late Yaakov Aharoni, a veteran IDF fighter, passed away at the age of seven and heroic deeds .
Sika, born in Jerusalem, was a Beitar man in all his limbs.
Even in his youth he was active in the national underground circles, and played various roles in our struggle for freedom.
Ya'akov Sika Aharoni at the annual state ceremony for the fallen soldiers of the Altalana ship (archive), photo: Gideon Markovitch
"The highlight is the daring operation in Iraq, in 1941, to which he went with the commander of the Echelon David Raziel to sabotage the oil refining facilities vital to the Nazi army.
Raziel was killed in action, and Sika continued to bravely carry his memory and legacy.
He participated in operations against the British and was even deported to Africa, but his steadfast spirit did not fall.
Israel's independence was for him the reward for the hardships of the road.
"Sika, the educator and man of the spirit, left us when he was over 101 years old. About a year and a half ago I had the privilege of thanking him for all his work, which will stand for generations, at the memorial to the victims of the lifeboat 'Altalana' in Nachalat Yitzhak in Tel Aviv. I send my deepest condolences to his family . Of blessed memory".
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