Border Police St.-Sgt. Uriel Bar Maimon

Apr 20, 2002 - Border Police St.-Sgt. Uriel Bar Maimon, 21, of Ashkelon was killed by a Palestinian gunman in an attack on the IDF post at the Erez industrial zone in the Gaza strip. The Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigade, a division of Fatah's Tanzim, claimed responsibility for the attack.

St.-Sgt. Uriel Bar Maimon immigrated from Argentina in 1996 with his mother, after his parents were divorced. They were members of the South American community in Ashkelon and received much support and help because they arrived in the country with nothing. Uriel's mother is seriously ill, suffering from cancer. During the last year, she received many difficult treatments and Uriel took care of her.

Uriel traveled to Greece with friends before being drafted into the army. As an only child, he did not have to serve in a combat unit but he wanted to be a fighter. He joined the Border Police last November and, after completing basic training, was deployed to the Gaza Strip. On Friday, he visited his home for a few hours and then hurried back to his base.

"Uriel was wonderful and brave. He always wanted to do his share for the country," said one of Uriel's friends.

St.-Sgt. Uriel Bar Maimon was buried in the military section of the Ashkelon cemetery. He is survived by his mother Ilana and father, who lives in Argentina.