The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com By MAYA GUR ARIEH
Members of Young’s community spoke of his bravery and commitment to his family, and the hopes that this could lead to recognition of the community.
Sgt. Elishai Young, who was killed in battle while fighting in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, was a member of the African Hebrew Israelites community and reportedly not an Israeli citizen, media reported on Sunday.
The Jerusalem Post has been unable to confirm Young’s citizenship status, though members of his community have told media that he does not have citizenship.
The community is largely based in Dimona, having arrived in Israel from the US in the late 1960s.
Bitton wrote, “Dimona bows its head. Sgt. Elishai Young, from the city of Dimona, a member of the Hebrew community in the city, fell in battle in Gaza. The city of Dimona mourns his passing, and we send our condolences to his family. May his memory be a blessing.”
Bitton also provided details for Young’s funeral, which took place on October 12 at Dimona’s cemetery in the section for fallen soldiers and security forces.
Yair Israel, a member of Dimona’s African Hebrew Israelites community, told Walla, “He [Young] was a wonderful boy. His father passed away a few years ago, and he was his mother’s youngest of two sons.”
“He is the first from the community to fall, even though many of our children serve in the army,” Israel told Walla.
“Everyone is in total shock […] it’s hard to see our children fighting for a country that doesn’t respect us. He didn’t have citizenship […] he’s fighting for the country, but once he’s done, he still has to apply for citizenship? It’s absurd,” Israel said of Young and his citizenship status…
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