Border Policeman Cpl. Yaniv Mashiah

Apr 25, 2004 - Border Policeman Cpl. Yaniv Mashiah, 20, of Jaffa, was killed and three others lightly wounded just an hour after the beginning of Memorial Day for Israel's fallen soldiers when shots were fired at their vehicle near Hebron.

Terrorists opened fire at the Border Policemen from a vehicle, and afterwards fled the scene. The shooting took place between the Palestinian villages of Turkamiya and Idna, west of Hebron, barely an hour after a siren was sounded throughout the country for one minute at 8 P.M. to mark the start of Memorial Day. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Yaniv Mashiah grew up in Jaffa and graduated from the Amal technical high school, majoring in accounting. Although many in his neighborhood were involved in drugs, Yaniv kept out of trouble and never even smoked a cigarette. He enlisted in the Border Police in December 2002. Since completing his basic training, he been stationed in the Judea and Samaria district.

His father Reuven said, "Yaniv postponed his enlistment so he could serve in the Border Police. He was proud of what he did and always reassured us that we had nothing to worry about. Every parent should have a son with a soul like his. He didn't know the meaning of hate." The family celebrated his 20th birthday just five days before he was killed.

Cpl. Yaniv Mashiah was buried in the military cemetery in Holon. He is survived by his parents, Reuven and Nili, and four siblings, including his older brother Kobi and 8-year-old twins.