Fallen Soldier's "Soul-Searching" Notebook Found in Gaza

Sergeant Amit Bonzel, a fallen soldier in the Paratroopers Brigade, wrote a "soul-searching" journal during combat in Gaza, reflecting on the kind of person he aspired to be. His father, Itzik Bonzel, shared excerpts of the notebook, found among Amit's personal belongings returned after his death, ahead of Yom Kippur.

In his writings, Amit posed the question, "What kind of person would I want to be?" He envisioned an ideal self as someone who smiles constantly, judges others favorably, is the first to volunteer, gives generously without compromise, doesn't complain, is trustworthy, always knows what to say, and treats everyone equally.

Amit also detailed how to achieve this ideal, emphasizing positivity, greeting everyone in his unit, expressing gratitude even when awkward, and understanding that not everything revolves around him. He advised counting to three before reacting to others, recognizing diverse motivations, and finding respectful ways to bridge differences. Regarding volunteering, he wrote about always saying "I" even when inconvenient, believing it might pay off later.

His father described the discovery of the notebooks as finding a treasure, bringing both grief and a deeper understanding of his son's character. Itzik Bonzel noted that Amit's reflections, written amidst the intense fighting in Gaza, exemplified his nature as a good friend, a fair judge of character, a volunteer, and a seeker of justice, always with a smile.

Leading up to Yom Kippur, Itzik Bonzel urged the public to learn from Amit's example, to conduct their own soul-searching, and to strive to be more like his son: to judge favorably, love everyone, perform good deeds, and forgive. He requested that people commit to one act in Amit's memory to continue spreading his goodness.