By Michael Zeff/TPS
The late Staff Sergeant Yanai Weissman, who was killed by an Arab terrorist while on leave, will be awarded a military decoration posthumously, an IDF spokesperson announced on Tuesday. The announcement comes on the eve of Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism.
Weissman was a 21-year-old IDF soldier stabbed to death in front of his wife and child in a supermarket in the Binyamin region on February 18.
Despite the fact that Weissman was murdered in a civilian facility while off duty, his death has been categorized by the Ministry of Defense as “in the line of duty.”
“Yanai chose to engage the assailants with his bear hands, fighting them until his own death. He engaged in combat with the terrorists, and the incident will therefore be classified as combat,” Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot said.
Every year prior to Israel’s Independence Day, the Chief of Staff announces the list of soldiers and units to be awarded military decorations on Independence Day.
“Yanai Weissman, who served as a soldier in the IDF’s Nahal Brigade will receive the commendation for his courageous actions at the fatal terror attack in the Binyamin region during his vacation,” stated the IDF spokesperson. “The late staff sergeant engaged the attackers while being unarmed thus personifying IDF values.”
