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Edited by: Fern Sidman
Dr. Yitzhak (Itzik) Yifat, one of the three paratroopers immortalized in David Rubinger’s iconic photograph at the Western Wall during the 1967 Six Day War, passed away on Saturday at the age of 81, as was reported by The Times of Israel. His funeral is scheduled for Sunday in his hometown of Ge’a, near Ashkelon.
The photograph, taken by Rubinger, captures a seminal moment in Israeli history. The image shows three young paratroopers, including Yifat, standing in silent reverence before the Western Wall, just after the Israeli forces had captured it, according to the information provided in The Times of Israel report. This photograph has come to symbolize not only a military victory but also a profound emotional and spiritual reclaiming of a significant site in Jewish history.
Born in 1943, Yitzhak Yifat was 24 years old when he stood at the Western Wall, flanked by his fellow paratroopers Tzion Karasenti and Chaim Oshri. As was described in the TOI report, his face, gazing upwards with a mixture of awe and solemnity, captured the complex emotions of a nation reconnecting with its ancient heritage. For many, this moment was more than a military triumph; it was a return to a place of deep historical and religious significance, a moment of collective memory and identity.
After the war, Yifat pursued a career in medicine, specializing in gynecology. He lived in Kiryat Malachi before settling in Ge’a. Despite his professional achievements and the passage of time, the memory of that day in 1967 remained vivid and poignant. In a 2019 interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, Yifat reflected on the emotional weight of breaking through to the Western Wall. The TOI report indicated that he recounted thoughts of his grandfather, who had always dreamed of seeing the Wall under Jewish control. This personal connection to his family’s past imbued the moment with a deep sense of fulfillment and continuity.
“When we broke through to the Western Wall it was emotional in a way it’s hard to describe,” Yifat recalled. “I thought of my grandfather, may he rest in peace, of his history, how he always spoke of the Wall. He was not a fighter and did not get to see the Wall in our hands, so I felt it was for him,” said, as was noted in the TOI report. This reflection highlights the multigenerational yearning that the Wall represented, a symbol of perseverance and hope for countless Jews worldwide.
Despite not being a religious man himself, Yifat was deeply moved by the actions of his fellow soldiers. “I’m not a person who prays but all the religious soldiers began praying. I touched the Wall, put my hand on the stones. It’s a moment that’s always with me. Then we cut up a few papers, every person wrote his deepest wish, and we inserted the notes into the cracks,” he recalled, according to the TOI report. This act of writing wishes and placing them in the Wall’s crevices is a tradition that continues today, symbolizing a direct and personal connection to the divine.
In 2017, Dr. Yitzhak (Itzik) Yifat recounted a surprising moment to Channel 12: “After the war, my neighbor, a brand new immigrant from Poland, came running out to show me that my photo was in the Polish newspapers. I was shocked,” the TOI report said. This photo, capturing Yifat and his fellow paratroopers at the, Western Wall during the 1967 Six Day War, had become a global symbol of Israeli strength and determination.
However, Yifat’s reflections on the aftermath of the war reveal a more nuanced perspective. While he acknowledged the photo’s symbolic power, he also expressed reservations about the long-term consequences of the war, as was indicated in the TOI report. The victory that brought the Western Wall under Israeli control also led to decades of military rule over the Palestinian territories, a reality that weighed heavily on Yifat’s conscience.
“There is something to be said for calling the image the start of the tragedy of the State of Israel]” Yifat remarked during a reenactment of the moment with Karasenti and Oshri. “I don’t believe that we should be ruling over another nation,” he said as was reported by the TOI. This candid admission highlighted the moral and political complexities that emerged from the war. For Yifat, the occupation of Palestinian territories was a burden that contradicted his ideals.
His stance sparked a poignant exchange with Karasenti, who fervently defended the actions taken during the war. “How can you say that as an Israeli who fought for something after 2,000 years of longing?” Karasenti retorted, the TOI report said. “We returned the heart of the Jewish people to this land.”
The TOI reported that Yifat’s response encapsulated his internal conflict: “What am I supposed to tell my grandchildren? That there will be war every year.”
The differing views of Yifat, Karasenti, and Oshri did not erode their personal bonds. Despite their political disagreements, the three men remained close friends over the years, as was noted in the TOI report. This enduring friendship amidst differing opinions serves as a microcosm of the broader Israeli society, where shared history and personal connections often coexist with divergent political views.
Yifat’s life after the war was marked by his professional achievements and his role as a family man. He became a respected gynecologist, serving communities in Kiryat Malachi and later Ge’a, the TOI report said. He is survived by three daughters and ten grandchildren, who carry forward his legacy.
As Israel mourns the loss of Yitzhak Yifat, it also commemorates the indelible mark he left on its history. The photograph of the three paratroopers at the Western Wall remains a powerful symbol of national unity and resilience. Yifat’s death is not just the passing of a man but a reminder of a pivotal moment that continues to resonate deeply within the collective memory of Israel and the Jewish diaspora.
In remembering Dr. Yitzhak Yifat, we honor not only his life and contributions as a physician but also his place in one of the most iconic images of modern Israeli history. His legacy is intertwined with the story of a nation’s triumphs, sorrows, and enduring hope.
