Sgt. Roi Ya'acov Solomon

Oct 19, 2003 - Sgt. Roi Ya'acov Solomon, 21, of Tel Aviv was one of three soldiers killed while on patrol in Ein Yabrud, north of Ramallah, when terrorists fired on them from behind. The Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Four soldiers from the Duhifat battalion were on foot patrol in Ein Yabrud to prevent terrorists from firing on vehicles traveling to nearby Ofra when several terrorists shot them in the back. Three fell on the road and were executed by point-blank shots to the head. The fourth, who fell in the bushes, was seriously wounded and evacuated to hospital. The terrorists seized the soldiers' weapons and fled. IDF forces launched a search for the gunmen, placing Ein Yabrud under closure and positioned roadblocks in the area.

Sgt. Roi Solomon was recently interviewed on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on Galei Zahal, the Israel Army radio station. He told how he started his army service on guard duty in Tel Aviv. Dissatisfied, he fought to raise his medical profile and succeeded in transfering to combat duty in the Duhifat battalion. "Because I experienced both," he said, "I can appreciate the difference. Here the work is very interesting and I have great personal satisfaction." Roi was killed just three weeks later, along with Sgt. Elad Pollack and St.-Sgt. Erez Idan. On the same radio program, Roi was presented by his comrades-in-arm an award for "most helpful soldier," a friend describing as having a heart of gold, always ready to volunteer and to help his fellow soldiers.

His father, Avi, said that Roi was a gifted musician who liked to write songs. He had started his own band in the family's previous hometown of Kochav Yair, in which he was both soloist and pianist. He also enjoyed playing ice hockey. His father added that as a teenager Roi had been a pacifist and a strict vegetarian. He didn't want to serve in the army, but later changed his mind and opted for combat duty. When his great-grandmother recently passed away, he refused to ask for special leave to spend the mourning period with his family. Before his army service, Roi had worked double shifts at a gas station to help repay family debts, incurred due to his father's failing eyesight.

Sgt. Roi Ya'acov Solomon was buried on Tuesday in the military cemetery in Holon. He is survived by his parents, an older brother, Ron, and a sister.