JSR Portraits

 

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Eliyahu"Churchill" Margalit, a grandfather of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was a true cowboy at heart, and for many years, he managed the cattle branch and the horse stables of his kibbutz. He arrived in Nir Oz alongside a group of youngsters from the Hashomer HaTzair youth movement, aiming to establish a flourishing kibbutz there. 
 

Churchill fell hard for the kibbutz life, pouring his heart and soul into the work, especially caring for his animals, and managed to carve out a decent living for himself and his beloved family, his wife Daphna and their three children, Noa, Danny, and Nili. Eli was a man with a big heart who loved Nir Oz, loved animals, and especially the horses in the local stable where he spent much of his free time.

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On Saturday, October 7th, Kibbutz Nir Oz was heavily attacked and a quarter of its residents were kidnapped or murdered. In the morning hours, terrorists and Gazan civilians invaded resident's homes as well as the public kibbutz grounds, roaming around and destroying everything in their path. On that dreadful Saturday at 7:30 AM, Churchill insisted on going to the pasture to check on the mares.

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His daughter Nili  was also kidnapped from  her home by two of armed Gazans on Oct. 7. Nili endured 55 days in Hamas captivity until her release, as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement. ​Tragically, the day after Nili's return home, the family was informed  of his death on October 7th at the hands of the Hamas terrorists.  His remains are still in Gaza.