The team's players visited the new youth club established by the Eliyahu family in memory of their late son, Yair, a club fan who fell in Gaza: "It is heartwarming to know that Yair chose Hapoel Tel Aviv. Not in normal life - but he chose right."
Staff Sergeant Yair Eliyahu of blessed memory fell in battle in Gaza a year and three months ago. A 19-year-old who fought with courage and pride in the Combat Engineering Corps out of a deep sense of mission - and lost his life in an operational accident.
His dear family chose to commemorate him in a special way: renovating the youth club in his hometown of Ezer. The club will serve as a meeting place for the community's youth and will be based on the values that guided Yair: light and joy, heart and giving, loyalty, pride, heroism, responsibility, and fulfillment. The club is aptly named "Gate 5" - after the beloved stand Yair frequented at every match.
The club's opening event was held under the banner of light and joy - just as Yair would have wanted. The players heard his story, toured the new club, and even joined in the karaoke session (at the guests' request, most of the songs were familiar to both the players and the fans...).
Hava Eliyahu, Yair's mother: "Yair was a soldier who fell in Gaza after fighting with pride and out of a sense of mission. When I see all of you here - I am so proud of Yair for making the right choice. He chose an abnormal life, but he chose right. On behalf of all of Yair's family and friends, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts." Yaniv Eliyahu, Yair's father, added: "Yair followed Hapoel everywhere in the country; it was moving to see him so loyal and dedicated to the team. To be honest, I'm a Maccabi fan - but since Yair fell, my heart is red. Thank you for coming, and yalla Hapoel."
Ortal Botbika, the club's Community Relations Manager: "Over the last few years, we have met so many amazing people, though sadly under unhappy circumstances. This is the least we can do to bring joy to these precious families - and to pay our respects to every single fan of ours who lost their life and fell in Israel's wars. We are glad to be here and to honor Yair's memory, thank you."
