Fallen Officer's Visit to School Inspires Students' Tribute Book

Major Guy Yaakov Nazri, an Israeli officer who visited a school in Haifa to boost student morale during wartime, was killed in action in Gaza months later. Nazri, who had visited the school at the invitation of teacher Talia Ben Sabo, was critically wounded while attempting to save his soldiers from a hit tank. After ten days of fighting for his life, he succumbed to his injuries.

Ben Sabo, who had known Nazri for years from his volunteer work, invited him to speak to her students who were struggling with the realities of the ongoing war. Nazri, who had taken leave from his partner to visit the school, spent time with the students, sharing his positive outlook and reinforcing a sense of security. During his visit, he famously paraphrased the Zionist slogan, stating, "It is good to live for our country," and emphasizing that "we are here to live, not to die."

Following Nazri's death, Ben Sabo and the students transformed their grief into an educational project. They created a book titled "Guy's Diamonds," inspired by Nazri's term for his soldiers. The book, written by nine students with Ben Sabo's father assisting in editing, focuses on the values Nazri embodied: love for the country and family, respect for others, and gratitude. The project aims to honor Nazri's life and the values he championed, rather than dwelling on his death.

Nazri, who served in the Armored Corps, was known for his dedication and leadership. He had previously been wounded by shrapnel two days before the incident that claimed his life but refused evacuation to remain with his troops. His final act involved attempting to rescue soldiers from a damaged tank, an effort that ultimately led to his fatal injuries. The book, currently printed for students and Nazri's family, may be released to a wider audience in the future.