Aharon Davidi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aharon Davidi
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Aharon Davidi
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| Nickname(s) | Davidi |
| Born | 1927 |
| Died | February 11, 2012 (aged 84–85) Israel |
| Buried |
Israel
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| Allegiance |  Israel |
| Service/ |
Army |
| Years of service | 1953-1970 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Commands held | Paratroopers Brigade |
| Battles/wars | 1947–1949 Palestine war Sinai Campaign Six-Day War |
| Awards | Medal of Courage |
| Other work | Lecturer Director of Community and Cultural Activities of the Golan and Jordan Valley |
Aharon Davidi (born 1927, died 2012) was an important Israeli general. He is best known for starting the Sar-El volunteer program, where people from all over the world can help the IDF.
Contents
A Life of Service
Early Life and Military Start
Aharon Davidi was born in Mandatory Palestine. He was the youngest child in his family. His family had moved there from Bender.
When he was just 15 years old, Davidi joined the Haganah and Palmach. These were defense groups before Israel became a country. During the 1947–1949 Palestine war, he fought in the southern part of the country. He was part of the Negev Brigade. It was there that he met his future wife, Hassida.
Joining the Paratroopers
In 1953, Davidi volunteered for a new unit. This was the Paratroopers Brigade of the IDF. He quickly became a company commander. The next year, his unit was very busy. They went on many dangerous missions behind enemy lines.
Davidi and his company helped Ariel Sharon's Unit 101. They supported a raid on a place called Qibya. Davidi and Sharon became close friends. In 1955, Davidi received the Medal of Courage. He earned this award for his brave actions in the Gaza Strip.
Key Battles and Leadership
During the Sinai Campaign, Davidi was a Lieutenant-Colonel. He led a regiment. He played a very important role in the battle of Mitla Pass. From 1965 to 1968, he was a colonel. He became the first commander of the IDF Paratrooper and Infantry Corps.
In the 1967 Six-Day War, Davidi led important actions. His troops captured Sharm-el-Sheik. When another commander, Raful Eitan, was hurt, Davidi took over. He led his paratroopers all the way to the Suez Canal.
After the Army
In 1970, Davidi retired from the army. He was a Brigadier General. He then spent three years studying at the University of London. He earned his master's and doctorate degrees. He studied cultural issues of Chinese minorities.
In 1974, Davidi started teaching geography. He taught at Tel Aviv University. Three years later, he moved to the Golan Heights. There, he became the Director of Community and Cultural Activities.
Founding Sar-El
In the summer of 1982, during the 1982 Lebanon War, Davidi had a great idea. He started the Sar-El volunteer program. This program is still very popular today. About 5,000 volunteers from around the world join every year. They come to help the IDF.
In 2010, Davidi won the Moskowitz Prize for Zionism. This award recognized his contributions to Israel.
Family Life
Aharon Davidi lived in Ramat Gan. He had three children. He also had 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His sister, Rivka Davidit, was a writer. She wrote books for children and was a theater critic.
Brigadier General (retired) Dr. Aharon Davidi passed away on February 11, 2012.
Images for kids
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Davidi (center) with Ariel Sharon (left) and Yitzchak Ben Menachem
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With members of 890th Paratroop Battalion after Operation Egged (November 1955). Standing l to r: Lt. Meir Har-Zion, Maj. Ariel Sharon, Lt. Gen Moshe Dayan, Capt. Dani Matt, Lt. Moshe Efron, Maj. Gen Asaf Simchoni; On ground, l to r: Capt. Aharon Davidi, Lt. Ya'akov Ya'akov, Capt. Raful Eitan.
