Sergeant Shirel Abukert z"l
Article: MK Tzuf Oren, Shirel's friend in the Border Police company, was present at the attack and went to an officers' course in its wake.
Shirel was murdered on March 27, 2022, in a terrorist attack in Hadera. 19 years old in Nopela. She was laid to rest in the Netanya military cemetery. She is survived by her parents and a brother.
From right to left: Noy, Shirel z"l and Tzuf, photo: courtesy of the Border Police
My Shirali, how are you? How are you there? I write here and tell you, with the feeling that you are in a distant country, and I am writing you a letter.
Since we parted ways that day in Hadera, I've come a long and significant way in the Border Police, completed a mech course and very soon I'll be an officer. I wanted to tell you that you are part of my day-to-day, that I feel that you accompany me in every small and big step of my path, that I am making the path to command inspired and thanks to you.
Shirel, I miss seeing the smile you always had on your face, and also the fact that wherever you were you knew how to create an atmosphere of joy, and no one from miles could miss that you were there - because your rolling laughter could be heard far and wide!
I miss you so much, my heroine. I miss you in the morning when I wake up and at night when I go to bed, you miss me during my shift when I go on operational duty and I miss you on the weekends when I go out. Sometimes I have an instinct when something happens to call you to tell you, but before I press "Sand" I remember... You won't answer.
I miss you terribly, and I'm sorry for that terrible attack, that I couldn't help you. I promise you that wherever I go, you will always be in my heart. And I also promise that whichever way I go, I will always perpetuate your memory.
It's the least I can do for you, and maybe a little bit for me...
Memorial video for Sergeant Shirel Abukert // Credit: Courtesy of the Border Police
Sergeant Yazan Fallah z"l
Correspondent: Border Police soldier, Yazan 'Awda, his friend in the Judea and Samaria Border Police in the Shaked Battalion.
Yazan Falah was murdered on 27 March 2022 in a shooting attack in Hadera, together with the late Shirel Abukert. Both served together in the Shaked Battalion in the Judea and Samaria Border Police.
Yazan Fallah z"l, left, photo: courtesy of the Border Police
Yazan dude, I was debating whether to write... Will you read this at all?
It's been a year and a half since that day, and I'm wondering if time passes too quickly or if every day is an eternity here... I am writing to you and I cannot understand and believe how it is possible that such a special and beloved child of all, a happy, smiling, quiet child, who loves to help everyone, has passed away.
We have the same name, and sometimes I felt inside that we had the same character – after all, that's what everyone always said. I wanted us to remain best friends for life, but now I stayed, and with me only memories of you remained.
Memories that never leave me for a moment, good memories, funny memories and exciting memories... And... Memories of that day of the terrible attack...
I still can't get over that feeling. It's so hard to know that my best friend was killed and that I didn't have the ability to save him - we're fighters, why wasn't I there to fight alongside you?
I miss you, Yazan, and will continue to mention you wherever I am. By the way, we in the company don't stop talking about you. I don't think a day went by without giving you a few minutes of good memories. We tell about you to the young fighters who came, I'm sure they already really know you, even though they didn't win...
I love you from the bottom of my heart, and hope you're well there, wherever you are.
Memorial video for Sergeant Yazan Fallah // Credit: Courtesy of the Border Police
Staff Sgt. Solomon Gavriya, z"l
Article: Sergeant Mazal Gavriya, his sister, followed him to the Border Police.
Solomon was murdered on 26 September 2017 in a shooting attack at a checkpoint at the entrance to Har Adar, while he was at a security post. Along with him, security guards Or Arish and Yusef Othman were murdered, and the town's security coordinator was seriously wounded.
Mazal (right) with her late brother Solomon, photo: courtesy of the Border Police
My beloved brother, where to start?
When we were little, we were told that heroes have superpowers, that they save others from bad people. We've been told that if heroes get hurt or hit, it passes... It doesn't stay for much longer because it heals. When I was little, I thought heroes were the good people who choose to be heroes. This was when I was little, but I grew up and discovered that heroes don't choose to be heroes.
Growing up, I discovered that not all heroes get hit and it heals. Because as I grew up, I realized that there are heroes who get hit that doesn't go away, because it's as physical as it is mental. Growing up, I discovered that there are heroes who go away and never come back. As I grew up, I realized that those heroes who did not choose to be heroes left and continue to leave a huge mark, a mark of emotional pain and endless longing.
And even then, on October 15, 10, you became the hero you were, alone against a terrorist bigger than yourself. As hard as he tried, you proved you were a heroic warrior and didn't let him succeed! So you got hit, you bandaged your shoulder and it passed, and you came home like a hero.
On 26.09.2017, Friday Tishrei, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, my most righteous and special, this is already the second time you have been a hero, and again - you were not chosen but chosen. Only this time you got hit and the wound was bandaged, but it didn't pass. This time it was one huge wound they couldn't cover. Instead, you've been covered. All of you.
And this time it's one huge hole, a blow so big that it struck and still hits me too, one that has collapsed and has been toppling me for years. One that can't be accepted because it can't be contained. A huge hole you left in my heart, and since then the heart has only been bleeding, and the soul too.
Memorial video for Staff Sergeant Solomon Gavriya // Credit: Courtesy of the Border Police
Instead of you draping the Israeli flag, the flag envelops you. Instead of our mother, who loves you so much, hugs you, she embraces her tombstone. Instead of going with Dad for another day of errands or work, it became alone...
I, who all my life called you and knew you as "Shlomo," got used to the name "Soli" given to you by my friends from the Border Police, and today I also serve in the Border Police, because I felt that this was what I needed after what happened...
Instead of another day of this "what to buy you to eat?" conversation, I still call and text, only on the other side you don't answer anymore... And yes, I'm still calling...
Little Nathaniel, who used to call you "Daddy," because you really were a second father to him, already knows that you are Solomon.
You will know that always, forever, you have been and remain my superhero. Your little sister's.
But I have one question that I still don't understand since growing up, and this time I ask Solly to answer: Why do heroes choose and don't choose to be heroes?
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