Hanna Biton
87, born in Libya.
Immigrated from Morocco in 1949.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
Believe in every person, even if their views differ from yours. Never dismiss anyone outright. This is why I find it hard to sit in the lobby: I hear a lot of gossip and criticism there, and I want to stay away from it.
Aharaleh’s passing is also a life lesson: he knew it was the end, and spoke to me about it—it was not easy for me. He left a verbal will and passed away peacefully at night. There is no doubt that moving to the hotel and leaving home preceded his passing.
I want to thank Aharaleh, because thanks to him, I had a very beautiful and interesting life. We had mutual respect until his final days. In one of our last conversations, he gave me a verbal will: “Continue to travel and do everything you do.”
I had one love—Aharaleh—and the family bond we built was genuine, based on mutual care, respect, and honesty.
I worry about our future, both nationally and personally. I cannot return home yet. I worry for the country and personally for my safety when I return to Malkiya. I sit on the balcony in Malkiya and see the Lebanese villages, whose houses stand as if no battles occurred. I am not afraid for myself but for reality.
Returning home to Malkiya—beyond the cleaning—is a challenge: I must sort all of Aharaleh’s belongings. I left a family home and am returning to the home of a widow.
My parents strongly influenced me, building a family with strong ties that persist today. This was passed on to my children, who are closely connected to each other and to me.
My decision and that of my friend from Jerusalem to go to Kiryat Shmona led me to meet Aharaleh, who also married in Kiryat Shmona.
I miss the landscapes, the activities at Veterans of the Galilee, and memories of home.
87, born in Libya.
Immigrated from Morocco in 1949.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
69, born in Morocco.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
83, born in India.
Immigrated to Israel in 1966.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
76, born in Tunisia.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
69.
Immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union in 1990.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
90, born in Yemen.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
69, born in Israel (Tiberias).
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
70, born in Israel.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
70, born in Israel (Safed).
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
70, born in Casablanca, Morocco.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
Age: 84
Born: Iran
Immigrated to Israel: 1951
Home: Kiryat Shmona
Evacuated to: An apartment in Migdal
Interviewer: Bracha Tor
Interview location: Oncology Day Clinic, Ziv Medical Center