Gabriel (Gabi) Pedatzur

Apr 13, 2003 - Gabriel (Gabi) Pedatzur, 49, of Kochav Yair was killed by terrorists in the Ben Shemen forest.

Gabriel Pedatzur was clubbed and stabbed to death while hiking in the Brazil Forest near Ben Shemen. Marks left on his body show that he fought his attackers valiantly, but nevertheless they succeeded in overpowering him. 

Gabriel Pedatzur was born in Moshav Bitzaron in 1953. He attended school in Gan Yavne and high school in Bat Yam, to which his family had moved. After his military service as a medic, he studied mechanical engineering at Tel Aviv University, and upon obtaining his degree began work at Israel Aircraft Industries in Lod, where he managed projects in the field of aircraft upgrade. Gabi married Hanita and they settled in Kochav Yair.

Gabriel Pedatzur was buried in Kochav Yair. He is survived by his wife, Hanita, his daughter Michal, 19, and two sons, Ben, 17, and Nadav, 14, as well as his father, brother and two sisters.