Roi Klein - Biography

Roi Klein (; July 27 1975–July 26 2006) was a Major in the Golani Brigade of the Israeli Defense Forces. Klein was killed in the Battle of Bint Jbeil during the 2006 Lebanon War after jumping on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers .

Klein was born in Raanana, Israel. He began his IDF service in the Paratroopers Brigade but later transferred to the Golani Brigade's Egoz Reconnaissance Unit .

In 2002, Klein received a Chief of Staff Citation for his conduct during an ambush near Nablus in which 5 Palestinian terrorists were killed .

During the Battle of Bint Jbeil, a hand grenade was thrown into the house where Klein and his unit were present. Klein told his men "Report that I've been killed" and subsequently jumped on the live grenade and stopped the explosion with his body. The soldiers reported that Klein recited the Jewish prayer, Shema Yisrael, as he jumped on the grenade .

Roi Klein became a symbol for heroism in Israel. New schools in Netanya and Raanana have been named after him.

For his actions during the war Klein received the Medal of Valor posthumously.

Klein lived in Eli, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. He was married and had two sons: Gilad and Yoav.

In July 2009 the Israel High Court of Justice ruled to demolish the home of Roi Klein, where his family is currently residing, among 11 homes in Eli .

See also

• Emanuel Moreno

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External links

• About Roi Klein in the Israeli Prime Minister's website