Anyone who enters Nathan Barak's grocery store in Tel Aviv's Ramat Hachayal neighborhood cannot miss the Stylan pin hanging under an article published in Israel Hayom a few years ago. What grocery shoppers have heard with unconcealed pride in recent weeks is the fact that the pin, given decades ago to Nathan, came off the wall, and it was worn by Nathan to his grandson, cadet Idan Nuriel, who is currently completing the captains' course.
"At Christmas, Under the Nose of the French" describes one of the most significant operations carried out by the Navy, in which Nathan participated as a young fighter. In 1969, Nathan was a mechanic in Shayetet 3, the missile boat flotilla, when he was given a dramatic mission.
Haifa Port blocked led by former naval commanders // Photo: Brothers in Arms reservists protest
Together with several dozen other fighters, he was flown to France, where he participated in smuggling missile ships destined for the navy, whose departure was blocked by the French due to the embargo imposed on arms sales to Israel.
In a storm, under complete blackout
"It was a very stormy night, very frightening," he says of the operation to send the missile boats to the young navy from the port of Cherbourg. "No one was allowed to know about the escape, and even in Israel it was very secret."
Under cover of darkness, while the French were celebrating Christmas, the ships set off for Israel. "The voyage was very difficult," Nathan recalls. His ship had a particularly surprising cargo: "I was preparing for the wedding and I knew Cherbourg had cheap products. So, I used the time we were there, under cover as citizens, to buy things. Luckily, not a single item was broken." After an arduous journey, the ships reached Israel. "We were received in an unusual ceremony," Nathan recalls wistfully.
Nathan later participated in the Yom Kippur War, some of the most daring operations of the time, including the Battle of Latakia, the first naval battle in history in which sea-to-sea missiles were used as the main weapon of both sides. At the end of his regular service, despite the fact that his commanders wanted him to continue to officer training, he was released at the request of his wife. He kept the Stylen pin, the missile boat warrior's pin, for 50 years. For 30 years, the pin hangs in the grocery store he operates.
From grandfather to grandson. Navy Steele, Photo: Yehuda Ben Yattach
Idan says that he absorbs the stories of the legacy of the battle from childhood. "Ever since I was a little boy, I remember my grandfather talking about the Navy. He's literally poisoned. I live 100 meters from the grocery store, and I used to go there every day after school and hear stories from my grandfather."
Following in his grandfather's footsteps
Therefore, when it came time to enlist in the IDF, he had no doubt what he would choose - he would follow in his grandfather's footsteps. Idan enlisted in the grueling Captains Course, considered one of the most difficult courses in the IDF, and is now successfully completing it. He will now serve as an officer on a missile ship and follow in his grandfather's footsteps, wearing the ranks Nathan never received.
"Grandpa didn't miss any of my ceremonies," Idan smiles and talks about the pin he wears, his grandfather's brooch. "Closing the circle is very exciting." Nathan admits that he is very proud of his grandson: "I tell everyone in the grocery store about my grandson. There is no one who does not know. It's an honor for the whole family."
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