As we reported yesterday, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) fired at Israeli soldiers working along the Lebanese border in northern Israel Tuesday afternoon. Despite operating south of the internationally recognized “blue line” and thus in Israeli territory (which the United Nations confirmed today in the New York Times), Lebanese snipers shot and killed Lieutenant Colonel Dov Harari and injured Captain Ezra Lakia. It is certainly no coincidence that LAF forces targeted their fire at IDF commanding officers.

Said Captain Lakia, who is still hospitalized after being wounded by shrapnel in his chest, “the troops continued to fight though their commanding officers were absent, after Harari and I were wounded…they fought bravely.”

Captain Ezra Lakia Recovering in Haifa

Captain Lakia knows a thing or two about bravery. In 2002, he received the Divisional Commander Citation for professionalism, leadership and courage during a mission tracking down the perpetrators of a bombing of a bus near Emanuel. As an Israeli of African descent who currently resides in Kfar Ha’Rif, Captain Lakia also represents the diversity among Israel’s armed forces.

Lieutenant Colonel Dov "Barry" Harari

Lt. Col. Dov Harari, known to his friends and family as “Barry,” was killed during the firefight. While he was part of a reserve unit, his father had said that he was about to retire. Harari, who was 45 years old and a father of 4, owned a supply store in Netanya. Born and raised there, he married his now widowed wife after first meeting and dating way back in the eight grade.

Tamir Ganot, a friend of Harari said “Barry was an amazing man, salt of the earth. He loved to help out, hammer in hand. He would help out poor people, childrens nurseries, old ladies in need of help – he only knew how to give, give, give. Everyone in Netanya knew him.”

Ganot added, “Barry loved the IDF and loved reserve duty, all throughout his IDF career. He was someone who was always called upon, and he would arrive instantly. He is an example of the good Israeli. When the IDF retreated from Lebanon, he tried to reach the border to help his friends from the South Lebanon Army acclimate in Israel. No one can say a bad word about him – even when he was alive.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Dov Harari and Ezra Lakia. We wish for a speedy recovery for Captain Lakia.

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