Fallen Soldier Ron Reitman's Preparatory Video for Elite Unit Service Surfaces
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Sergeant Major Ron Yonatan Reitman, killed in a Hebron-area shooting attack, is remembered through a video he made detailing his intense training for elite military unit tryouts. Reitman, who aspired to join the naval commando unit (Shayetet) despite an injury, expressed his ambition to always strive for the highest achievement. The attack also claimed the life of Sergeant Yuval Shi Sulam, prompting a large-scale IDF and Shin Bet operation. The Chief of Staff acknowledged the painful outcome but noted the prevention of a larger attack.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Fallen soldier Ron Reitman's video shows his rigorous training for the elite Shayetet unit.
- Reitman, killed in a Hebron-area shooting, expressed a philosophy of aiming for the highest achievement.
- An injury altered Reitman's initial plans, but he remained committed to combat service.
- Close friend Itai Yeruman described Reitman as "much more than a brother" and recalled their shared dreams.
- The attack also killed Sergeant Yuval Shi Sulam, leading to a major counter-terrorism operation.
- Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated the encounter prevented a more severe attack.
Sergeant Major Ron Yonatan Reitman, who was killed in a deadly shooting attack near Hebron, had aspired to serve in the naval commando unit (Shayetet) and trained rigorously for its tryouts. An injury altered his path, but he was determined to serve in a combat role. A video he filmed before his enlistment for a communications class at the Kadouri Youth Village documents his intense preparations for the tryouts and his life philosophy: "I want the highest, because if you have the option, aim for the stars." The film, titled "Deep Waters," captures Reitman's preparations for combat service.
In the video, Reitman, then 18, expresses his lifelong dream of joining the Shayetet, a goal instilled by his father. He recounts his journey to the boarding school in ninth grade, feeling lost at 15, and his ambition to reach the highest possible level in his endeavors. "If I'm doing something, why not do it the best possible way?" he asks.
The Kadouri Youth Village community mourned the loss. Itai Yeruman, Reitman's close friend from their boarding school days and the film's co-director, rushed back from Italy upon hearing the news. "He was much more than a brother to me," Yeruman stated, recalling their deep bond as fellow boarding school students. They had planned a ski trip together for the following month.
Roi Bar Ilan, the youth village director, remembered Reitman as a highly motivated student dedicated to meaningful and value-driven combat service. He facilitated Reitman's training by arranging pool access for his swimming practice. After Kadouri, Reitman completed a service year at a boarding school in Kiryat Ye'arim and recently visited Kadouri to encourage younger students.
Anat Abuhatzira, Reitman's house mother, described him as a "salt of the earth" individual with strong values of friendship, love for the country, and respect for others. She noted his Zionist patriotism and commitment to being a fighter. Yuval Shi Sulam was also killed in the attack. In response, the IDF and Shin Bet launched a large-scale operation in the city from which the terrorists originated. The Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, stated that while the encounter with the terrorist cell was painful, initial investigations suggest the forces prevented a more severe attack on Israeli civilians.
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