IDF Locates 1948 Fallen Soldier Shlomo Haimson's Grave in Haifa After 78 Years

The Israel Defense Forces, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the Cyprus Immigrants Association, have identified the burial site of Shlomo Haimson, a soldier who fell in 1948. Haimson died from gunfire while attempting to escape the British detention camp in Krawlos, Cyprus, on the night of September 29-30, 1948. Initially buried in the Jewish cemetery in Margo, Cyprus, his remains were transferred to Israel in 1970 and reburied anonymously in Haifa's Cyprus Immigrants section of the cemetery.

Born in Romania in 1930, Haimson immigrated to Palestine aboard the immigrant ship Pan York, which was intercepted by British forces and sent to Cyprus. There, he joined the Haganah-affiliated defenders in the detention camps, preparing to fight for Israel. After learning of his daughter's birth in September 1948, he attempted to escape the camp with eight others but was shot and killed by guards. His grave in Cyprus bore no inscription due to the camp's unfamiliarity with him.

In 1970, Israel repatriated 163 bodies from Cyprus, most unidentified, and buried them in Haifa. In 2010, efforts to identify these fallen immigrants began, revealing Haimson as a recognized IDF casualty. A special investigative team formed in 2023 conducted extensive archival research, testimony collection, photo analysis, and archaeological surveys, confirming his burial location as grave 11, row 2, in Haifa's Cyprus Immigrants section.

The IDF's Personnel Directorate approved placing a headstone on Haimson's grave. His family, including his daughter Miriam and descendants living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were informed of the discovery in a ceremony attended by IDF officials. A military-state ceremony will soon be held in Haifa to honor Haimson. The IDF continues its commitment to locating missing soldiers and honoring fallen servicemen with dignity.

Haimson's family expressed deep gratitude for the dedicated efforts to honor his memory, emphasizing the pride and peace brought by finally identifying his resting place after nearly eight decades.