All across the State of Israel, Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day is being marked and of course the same was done at the Club’s Youth Academy where those who fell in the line of duty were remembered at a ceremony that took place at Kiryat Shalom. Youth Academy players, professional staff along with many parents took part in the event while Liran Baruch and Omer Levi, fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv who were injured during their service lit the memorial candle. In addition, Arik Sviatkovsky, brother of fan Ilan Sviatkovsky z”l who was killed by terrorists by the Gaza Strip was present as well. Motti Nohain from Achim L’Semel read the names of Maccabi fans who fell while serving their country.
Representatives of the Youth Department players read about the following who fell defending the country:
Oz Tzemach z”l who at 20 years of age fell in the Second Lebanon War when his tank took a direct hit. He along wit three others were killed. The Maccabi Tel Aviv Under-12 side is named after Oz as he was major Maccabi supporter.
Shahar Strug z”l son of Koby and Michal and brother to Adi was born in Giv`atayim and was a massive supporter of Maccabi and never missed a match. He fell on March 20, 2018 at 19:52.
Staff Sergeant Ariel Harush z”l graduated with honors from the Kiryat Sharet High School in Holon in the Biotechnology track. As a child he would accompany his father to Maccabi Tel Aviv football matches. When he completed his studies he enlisted in the Artillery Corps and enjoyed serving in the military. On November 15, 2017, about two months before his long awaited release from the army and a week after celebrating his 21st birthday, Ariel was killed in an accident on a road in the north during an operation near Kibbutz Yiftah.
Ilan Sviatkovsky z”l was born in Uzbekistan, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1994 and settled in Rishon Le’Zion. Already at an early age, he became a huge fan of the Club together with his brother Arik Sviatkovsky. There was no other fan like him. In March 2010, Ilan was killed in a clash with terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Staff Sergeant Aviv Avraham Levi z”l was killed by sniper fire during disturbances on the Gaza Strip border, on 20.07.18 – two months before his release and two weeks before his 21st birthday. The sniper’s bullet penetrated Aviv’s bulletproof vest and hit him in the heart killing him instantly. Aviv was a beloved commander in the Givati Brigade – in the Tzabar Battalion and was always a role model among the soldiers, friends and family. He had always loved and played sports. He loved Capoeira and even won a number of competitions. He loved surfing and loved Maccabi Tel Aviv very much. Aviv’s plans after his release from the army were to fly to South America and start a business when he returned.
Motti Nohain from Achim L’Semel read the names of Maccabi fans who fell while serving their country: Natan Peretz, Adam Goren, Yaron Pickholz, Amit Itzhak, Beniya Rubel, Matan Gottlieb, Omri Levi, Tomer Hazan, Gil Oz, Doron Lev, Shimon Rouimi, Oshrat Pinto, Hagay Giorno, Ilan Sviatkovsky, Eldad Regev, Oz Tzemach, Shachar Strog, Ariel Harush, Aviv Avraham Levi.
