Eli Biton

Jan 12, 2003 - Eli Biton, 48, of Moshav Gadish, near Afula, was killed when terrorists infiltrated the community and opened fire. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

At around 18:45 in the evening, two armed Palestinians infiltrated Moshav Gadish in the Afula area, five kilometers north of the Green Line. The terrorists, who apparently came from the Jenin area, opened fire on the main street of the moshav. Eli Biton was mortally wounded while driving in his car and died shortly afterwards. The terrorists were killed by Israeli forces in a gun battle in which five were wounded.

Eli's brother Ya'akov spoke of his brother: "He filled many public positions in the community and was a police volunteer and responsible for patrolling the fields. He was always very concerned with the security of the moshav. He was deeply attached to his wife and children." One of his sons, who is serving in the army, was recently seriously injured in a car accident, and Eli accompanied him in his rehabilitation.

Eli Biton was buried in the Ta'anach regional cemetery in Hever. He is survived by his parents, his wife and four children - Liraz (23), Dvir (20), Hofit (15) and Yakir (10).