Thousands arrived at the military plot at the Segula cemetery in Petah Tikva on Tuesday to accompany Capt. Rotem Yosef Levy, 24, from Oranit, deputy company commander in the Yahalam unit, who fell in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
The funeral of Capt. Rotem Yosef Levy, photo: Coco
His wife Shoham eulogized him: "The morning you fell you managed to have a short conversation with me, half an hour later you fell. We had great love. I waited to see our children. You will always be with me in my heart for all eternity Rotem. You have always been loved by everyone. Everywhere you went, people always wanted to get to know you. I'm happy and happy that I got you to be a part of me."
Omer Barak, Rotem's liaison, eulogized him: "About three months before the war, you asked me if I wanted to serve in the reserve unit because our team was not assigned. I told you, 'Provided it is with you.' And you said, 'Of course it will be with me,' so I immediately agreed, but I didn't really think that meant we would fight in Gaza together after a few months. At our first entry into Gaza, we advanced toward the border. You carry about four times your body weight and a second before the limit we hugged and said, 'We go in together – we go out together.' It felt like a joke, but unfortunately we didn't keep that promise. In the last few months we have experienced you like no one else. There are no words that can describe what a good friend you were. You gave of yourself above and beyond."
Captain (res.) Rotem Yosef Levy, who was killed in battle in Gaza, was laid to rest, photo: Coco
Rotem was a Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball fan and active in the fan organization. Many fans came to the funeral.
Daniel Ben-Moshe, a representative of the fans, eulogized him: "The best, the highest quality and the most beautiful. You continued your brother Roy's path in the stands. The young gang leader of the Gate. When our group of young people were doing some nonsense, we always said it was good to have Tomer there. You were the spearhead and as such it was clear to you that you would go to the most significant service in the unit as elite as possible, because that's how you are, a legend. Paint the sky blue and yellow. Death will not separate us either. Love you forever."
The funeral of Capt. Rotem Yosef Levy, photo: Coco
His mother Michal eulogized him: "You went out into the world in a hurry, wanted everything, loved life, nature in the desert and also the amazing landscapes in new places, the extreme. When we said goodbye last Saturday night, you said goodbye to me with a hug, you said to me with a huge smile that radiates confidence: 'Mom, we are strong.' I know that difficult days await us, but I also know that good days and joys will come after me with our children and with Shoham, whom we love so much, and you will always be at every step we take."
Rotem left behind his wife, parents and three brothers. At the end of the funeral, hundreds remained around the fresh grave, refusing to say goodbye. The fans put the Maccabi flag on the fresh grave and shouted "Rotem Levy!!!" several times.
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