OWINGS MILLS, Md., May 3 – To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Israel’s Six-Day War in the Baltimore area, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) will reunite the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers from the iconic photo taken by
David Rubinger, who passed away in March, of three paratroopers at the Western Wall after they had won the battle for Jerusalem.
Rubinger’s photo, “Paratroopers at the Western Wall,” is recognized as the defining image of the Six-Day War, June 5-10, 1967, during which Israel fought against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. During the war, Israel gained control over Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights.
“The photo that includes me as a young soldier, holding my helmet in front of the Western Wall, has become a part of history, and has come to define my life since that moment. I went from being an anonymous warrior to an unintentional symbol,” said Dr.
Yitzhak Yifat, one of the three paratroopers captured in Rubinger’s photo. “By recreating that euphoric moment 50 years later, we underscore the endurance of our people, and the democratic Jewish homeland.”
All three paratroopers from Rubinger’s photo,
Zion Karasenti,
Haim Oshri, and Yifat, will attend a private reception in Owings Mills on June 15 to recreate the historic moment and share their heroic stories. Also speaking will be Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Amb.
Danny Danon.
“The crucial moment Rubinger captured in his famous photo transformed the landscape of Israel and the entire Middle East – and changed the lives of Jews worldwide,” said FIDF Mid-Atlantic Executive Director
Ari Dallas. “We thought it would be very powerful for our supporters to see the three paratroopers from the historic photo reunited here in Maryland. Our commemoration will stress the importance of the Six-Day War and the sacrifices that IDF soldiers made to ensure Israel’s survival.”
Dallas added: “As they did 50 years ago, the brave men and women of the IDF still put their lives on the line every day to protect the Jewish homeland. While their job is to look after Israel, ours is to look after them.”
Reporters interested in participating in the event may RSVP to:
Ryan@PuderPR.com.