Sgt.-Maj. Shlomi Belsky

Nov 18, 2003 - Sgt.-Maj. Shlomi Belsky, 23, of Haifa, was one of two soldiers killed by a Palestinian terrorist who opened fire at a checkpoint on the tunnel bypass road, linking Jerusalem and the Gush Etzion bloc.

Shortly before 6:00 AM, a Palestinian armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, hidden in a prayer rug, arrived at the checkpoint from Al-Khader, near Bethlehem and opened fire on the soldiers stationed there. Sgt.-Maj. Shlomi Belsky, commander of the checkpoint and St.-Sgt. Shaul Lahav was mortally wounded. The Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Shlomi Belsky immigrated to Israel from Belarus with his family in 1991. He graduated from the Air Force Technical High School in Haifa. His father Alex relates that Shlomi had always dreamed of becoming a career officer. Last October he completed his compulsory service and signed up for the regular army.

Shlomi's mother Galina was speaking to him on his cellular telephone when the attack occurred. She heard three shots, and then the line went silent, and she realized her son had been struck by the gunfire.

Sgt.-Maj. Shlomi Belsky was buried in the military section of the cemetery in Haifa. He is survived by his parents, Alex and Galina, and his older brother Maxim, 33.