Search Results for “Assaf Ramon”

Lt. Assaf Ramon Z”L Being Laid to Rest Today

September 14, 2009 8:37 am 1 Comment

For Rona Ramon, tragedy has struck twice in less than seven years, first her husband Ilan z”l, who was the astronaut of the Jewish People, now followed by their eldest son, Assaf, who only a few short weeks ago pinned his pilot’s wings on his shirt, a graduate of the last class. As was the case with his father, he was cited for excellence at graduation. When Lt. Ramon’s F-16 disappeared from air force radar, officials began to worry. The veteran pilot alongside his plan tried to establish radio communications with him, without success. At 14:01:30, the notification was made, that the young pilot’s plane vanished from radar, and it may be experiencing technical difficulties. It is believe he hit the ground at that time. The investigation to determine the cause is ongoing. Reports began coming in from Southern Chevron Hills area residents, explaining they heard an explosion and “something fell from the sky”. The young pilot did not manage to extricate himself from death as he did a few short months ago when his craft developed a major technical malfunction during training. The confirmation of the tragedy brought senior military officers to a halt, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi and Air Force Commander Major-General Ido Nehushtan. Former air force commanders and senior military officers began making their way to the Nahalal home of the Ronen family, retracing their footsteps of 6.5 years ago when the nation’s first astronaut perished in the Columbia space shuttle disaster. The newspaper carry a banner headline of pain and mourning, perhaps a national mourning, as the nation bids farewell to a son, many feeling a connection with the Rona Ramon’s pain. His father was a legend, having taken part in the bombing of the Iraqi nuclear facility in 1981, and becoming the first astronaut and taking part in the America’s NASA space program. Many viewed Assaf as a son capable of filling such lofty shoes, but we now know this was not to be the case. Lt. Assaf Ramon will be laid to rest in Nahalal aside his father at 4:00pm on Monday. Government ministers and senior IDF officers will be in attendance. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has postponed a meeting with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell to attend. Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger issued a mourning announcement and called on the tzibur to set aside time to learn or recite tehillim in his memory. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Assaf Ramon: I Am Doing it for Myself, No One Else

June 23, 2009 12:35 am 1 Comment

On Thursday, Assaf Ramon will officially be carrying on his late father’s tradition, becoming an IAF fighter pilot. According to his instructors and classmates, he is being cited for excellence because he truly deserves it, not because he is the son of Israel’s first astronaut, the late Colonel Ilan Ramon z”l, who was on board the ill-fated NASA STS-107 Columbia mission in 2003. Assaf explains that yes indeed, he is carrying on in his father’s footsteps, but quickly adds, “I am here for myself, no one else”. The 21-year-old pilot explained that he knows this is his place, where he truly feels comfortable and at home. In the interview with Ramon in the IDF’s weekly Bamachane Magazine, Assaf explains that when he arrived, he was uncertain if the course would be for him, if he would adopt to the demands, if flying was his destiny but now, the doubts are behind him and he is certain he has made the correct choice. Assaf also explains that his mom, Rona, will be attending graduation and he is certain it will not be an easy moment, singing praise for her, supporting him throughout the course despite the emotional difficulties associated with it for her. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Assaf Ramon Finishing Pilot’s Training

May 31, 2009 2:28 pm 1 Comment

Assaf Ramon, the eldest son of Israel’s first astronaut, Colonel Ilan Ramon z”l is about to complete IAF pilot’s training. Only 16 at the time of his father’s death, in the explosion on the Columbia space shuttle, Assaf told the media he wished to carry on his father’s work and as such, hoped one day to become an IAF fighter pilot. IAF officials report the young cadet is viewed as among the outstanding members of the program. He recently made the news when compelled to handle a malfunction during a training flight. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Israel’s High Court Rejects Petition to Prevent Cremation of Mrs. Rona Ramon

December 24, 2018 9:15 pm 2 Comments

In her will, Mrs. Rona Ramon instructed her family to have her cremated R”L, albeit with noble intentions – to prevent her family from having to go through another funeral. Mrs. Ramon was the wife of Israel’s first and only astronaut, Colonel Ilan Ramon, who was killed on board the ill-fated Columbia Space Shuttle mission, as well as mother of Lt. Assaf Ramon, who was killed in a F-16 crash in Israel. In his petition, attorney Shimon Ashur told the nation’s highest court that in addition to cremation being against both Jewish and Muslim Law, it would harm the public’s sensibilities. The court simply decided Ashur has no connection to the case, and therefore, he has no standing to present his case to the court. The court called his petition frivolous and compelled him to pay court fees. Last week, Chief Rabbi of Beersheva HaRav Yehuda Deri called on the family in an urgent letter, asking them to ignore Mrs. Ramon’s request and to bury her in accordance with halacha, as reported by YWN. At the beginning of the letter, Rav Deri expressed his condolences for the bereaved family and said that her passing had caused anguish to the whole of the Jewish people. “We feel your pain and are participating in your great mourning.” He also described Ramon’s request for cremation to spare her family more suffering as “characteristic of her nobility” but went on to say that there severe consequences in Jewish law for cremation, and which states we do not adhere to the instructions of someone who requests not to be buried, especially when the request came about only in order to prevent unnecessary suffering to family members. “I was shocked to hear this morning in the media that the deceased, with her characteristic nobility, asked not to be buried, but to be cremated to prevent another funeral and unnecessary suffering for the family. “I appeal to you on behalf of many of the Rabbis and Dayanim of Israel and in the name of large parts of the nation to reconsider this decision and express your desire to respect the deceased with the appropriate honor for her, and bring her to a Jewish burial in the soil she loved so much and sacrificed for it that which was most precious to her. And there she should rest in peace.” He said this should also be done “for the sake of her descendants who throughout the generations will be able to unite with her memory in front of her grave and her tombstone which will be an eternal witness that they had a great matriarch amongst Israel.” Rabbi Dr. Yuval Cherlow, who is affiliated with Tzohar Rabbonim, called Mrs. Ramon’s request “noble but misguided”, in an effort to persuade the family to reconsider he request. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Israeli Rabbi Urges Family Against Cremation For Rona Ramon

December 19, 2018 11:15 pm 1 Comment

R’L, albeit with good intentions, Mrs. Rona Ramon instructed her family to have her remains cremated, a move she believed would spare her surviving children and parents the pain of another funeral, as they already buried her late husband Ilan, an astronaut who was killed in the Columbia spacecraft explosion, and son Assaf, who was killed in an Israel Air Force F-16 crash. Rabbi Yehuda Deri, the chief rabbi of Beer Sheva, sent a letter to the Ramon family urging against following her request. At the beginning of the letter, the rabbi expressed his condolences for the bereaved family and said that her passing had caused anguish to the whole of the Jewish people. “We feel your pain and are participating in your great mourning.” He also described Ramon’s request for cremation to spare her family more suffering as “characteristic of her nobility” but went on to say that there severe consequences in Jewish law for cremation, and which states we do not adhere to the instructions of someone who requests not to be buried, especially when the request came about only in order to prevent unnecessary suffering to family members. “I was shocked to hear this morning in the media that the deceased, with her characteristic nobility, asked not to be buried, but to be cremated to prevent another funeral and unnecessary suffering for the family. “I appeal to you on behalf of many of the Rabbis and rabbinic judges of Israel and in the name of large parts of the nation to reconsider this decision and express your desire to respect the deceased with the appropriate honor for her, and bring her to a Jewish burial in the soil she loved so much and sacrificed for it that which was most precious to her. And there she should rest in peace.” He said this should also be done “for the sake of her descendants who throughout the generations will be able to unite with her memory in front of her grave and her tombstone which will be an eternal witness that they had a great matriarch amongst Israel.” Waelier Wednesday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, at the Peres Center for Peace in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, paid his respects to the late Rona Ramon and passed by her coffin. Following is an excerpt from his remarks: “I would define Rona Ramon’s life as a tragedy of Biblical proportions, but she was also a hero of the sprit, of Biblical proportions. The loss of Ilan and Asaf, her loss at a young age, these are cruel blows to a splendid family. “But what conquered Rona’s heart was the other side of this hard coin, ad this is the way in which she stood straight up and continued to work, not only as a wife who lost her husband and as a mother who lost her son, but as a leader who mobilized both herself and others to keep working, creating and leading in cultivating excellence, genius and the abilities latent in our people, and perhaps in each one of us, and the ability to raise this ever higher. “There was also optimism, the strength to act and stamina in her. As a mother who took under her wings not only a splendid family, but very many in the nation and the world. This commitment to action

VIDEO: PM Netanyahu Pays His Respects To The Late Rona Ramon

December 19, 2018 8:00 am No Comments

(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE) Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, at the Peres Center for Peace in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, on Wednesday morning, paid his respects to the late Rona Ramon and passed by her coffin. Following is an excerpt from his remarks: “I would define Rona Ramon’s life as a tragedy of Biblical proportions, but she was also a hero of the sprit, of Biblical proportions. The loss of Ilan and Asaf, her loss at a young age, these are cruel blows to a splendid family. “But what conquered Rona’s heart was the other side of this hard coin, ad this is the way in which she stood straight up and continued to work, not only as a wife who lost her husband and as a mother who lost her son, but as a leader who mobilized both herself and others to keep working, creating and leading in cultivating excellence, genius and the abilities latent in our people, and perhaps in each one of us, and the ability to raise this ever higher. “There was also optimism, the strength to act and stamina in her. As a mother who took under her wings not only a splendid family, but very many in the nation and the world. This commitment to action and the desire to both create an agency and tools to continue this spirit; this, perhaps, was her greatest contribution. “She entered into all of our hearts. We will always remember you and we will always aspire to follow in your footsteps.” R’L, albeit with good intentions, Mrs. Ramon has instructed the family to have her remains cremated, a move she believed would spare her surviving children and parents the pain of another funeral, as they already buried her late husband Ilan, who was killed in the Columbia spacecraft explosion, and son Assaf, who was killed in a F-16 crash. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/photo credit: Amos Ben-Gershom, GPO)

HASHEM YIRACHEM: Mrs. Rona Ramon Requested To Be Cremated To ‘Spare Her Children Another Levaya’

December 18, 2018 3:05 pm 41 Comments

It is revealed that Mrs. Ronit Ramon, widow of Israel’s first and only astronaut Ilan Ramon who died in the Columbia spacecraft explosion, and mother of air force pilot Assaf Ramon, who was killed in a F-16 crash, wishes to be cremated to spare her children another levaya. According to a Ynet report, Ramon, who died of cancer on Monday at the age of 54, left the instructions in her will, stating she wished to spare the children the difficulty of another funeral after the loss of their father z”l and their brother z”l. Mrs. Ramon is survived by three children and her parents. Her casket will lie in state in the Peres Peace Center on Wednesday from 9:00AM to 1:00PM to permit persons to pay their last respects to her and the family members. The service will be held at 4:00PM with the participation of family members and friends. [Israeli Rabbi Urges Family Against Cremation For Rona Ramon] (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Rona Ramon, Widow of Israel’s First Astronaut Ilan Ramon, Niftar at Age 54

December 17, 2018 6:15 pm 1 Comment

Rona Ramon, whose husband was killed in the 2003 Columbia space shuttle disaster and who later lost a son in a military plane crash, has died. Ramon, who was 54, died Monday of pancreatic cancer, according to Israeli media reports. Her husband, Ilan Ramon, was Israel’s first and only astronaut. Six years after the Columbia crash, their son, Asaf, who had followed in his father’s footsteps to become an Israeli air force fighter pilot, was killed in a training accident on an F-16. The young officer was laid to rest in Nahalal, aside his father’s kever. The announcement of the fatal crash was taken hard by the nation, as many saw him carrying on the legacy of his late father. Ramon was the space shuttle payload specialist of STS-107, the fatal mission of Columbia, in which he and six other crew members were killed in the re-entry accident. At 48, he was the oldest member of the crew. Ramon is the only foreign recipient of the United States Congressional Space Medal of Honor, which he was awarded posthumously. In a 2013 interview, Ramon said she was still unable to discuss the loss of her son, but also tried to “look for meaning in life.” She formed a foundation in memory of her husband and son, and counseled others coping with tragedies. Officials associated with Ramon Foundation issued the following statement: With grief and sorrow that cannot be quantified, we are forced to announce the death of Rona Ramon, who died peacefully today in her home – surrounded by her family and close friends. Rona died after a long illness. Dear Rona was the mother of Tal, Yiftach, Noa and Captain Assaf Ramon, who was a pilot in the Israel Air Force, the widow of Colonel Ilan Ramon – the first Israeli astronaut. Rona never ceased her efforts to make a positive impact on Israeli society and be meaningful to those around her. She was an inspiring woman who left us knowing that her legacy, her son and her husband would be present in the extensive educational activity to which she was a partner. Rona was the founder and president of the Ramon Foundation. She initiated and participated in dozens of educational and social projects – in cooperation with government ministries and local authorities. Projects that affected tens of thousands each year. We already miss her embracing presence. Details of the date of the funeral ceremony and the shiva will follow. Prime Minister Netanyahu issued the following statement: My wife, Sara, and I express deep sorrow for Rona Ramon’s death. Rona stood valiantly after the fall of her husband Ilan and her son Asaf, of blessed memory – our beloved pilots. She fought valiantly against cancer, which, to our great sorrow, overwhelmed her today. We will always remember her and her wonderful family. Yehi Zichra Baruch”. President Reuven Rivlin’s said “Rona Ramon left us, as she lived among us – noble, won, full of faith. Ilan and Assaf touched the sky, and Verona touched us. And now beloved Rona, ‘bird angels above you, following your footsteps’. We will not forget how you built from the destruction, planted meaning in the infinite pain, filled the work with the deficiency that cannot be counted. We will continue to elongate, the light that you spread to those

Legendary “Dakota” Has New Home: The Ramon International Airport [PHOTOS]

July 30, 2018 5:30 pm No Comments

The spokesperson for the Israel Airports Authority reports the “Dakota” which has become one of the symbols of the city of Eilat, is receiving a new home, moving from the Eilat Airport to its new residence at the Ramon International Airport, which is named after Ilan and Assaf Ramon. The legendary Dakota plane stationed in Eilat, the DC3 aircraft, served as an important traffic artery to Eilat both in its service in the Air Force and Arkia Airlines. Ze’ev Sarig, a former manager of the Eilat and Ben-Gurion Airports: “The Dakota represents most of all the air link between civil and military aviation between the city of Eilat and the center of the country.” On Monday, 18 Menachem Av, and starting from 11:00PM, the plane will be in its new location. The ATS-X4 was used in secret service by the State of Israel and the Air Force (created in 1942) and removed from active service in 1999. The aircraft was placed in the air space at the airport in Eilat in recognition of its activities between 1942 and 1999. The mythical Dakota plane of the city of Eilat moves to its new residence at the international airport at “Ramon”. The legendary “Dakota” is the “brother” of two Dakotas that have done most of their service together. The 42nd Dakota is stationed at the Air Force Museum and was flown there as the last plane for the Dakota Squadron and Dakota 44 is located in the air museum in Palm Springs, California. Lt. Col. (reserves) Yossi Shomroni of the Dakota Veterans Association: “The first plane was manufactured at the Douglas plant in Long Beach and was attached to the United States Air Force. The plane, of course, participated in World War II and then joined the Israel Air Force in 1950, when it served for a long time in the Israel Air Force and participated in a parachute landing in Mitlah. The plane was transported with the 40 and 42 aircraft on loan to Uganda, during the good relations with that country. The planes were returned to Israel in 1973 and served as a nucleus for Netivei Oil, which used them to transport workers and equipment to the oil fields in Abu Rudeis, Sinai. With the agreements with Egypt and the giving away of Sinai and the oilfields, the need for oil pipelines was improved, the planes were fully renovated by IAI, returned to service in the air force in the early 1980s and were used in all missions of the squadron, transport flights, operational missions and training. The flight is carried out after a week ago at Ramon, the flight to Ramon was completed with the landing of the Arkia aircraft and the unveiling of the sign of Ramon International Airport in the presence of Rona Ramon and her family. The training exercise at the “Ramon” opened the continuum of the new international airport of Israel in preparation for the opening and certification of the airport. As noted, with the progress towards the opening of the new airport, the transfer of the Dakota from the Eilat airport to Ramon began. On Sunday, July 17 Menachem Av, teams arrived for the transfer of the Dakota to Eilat Airport. A special crane began unloading and loading the aircraft, and during the second

Final Drill Held at Ramon International Airport Prior To Opening

July 16, 2018 6:30 am No Comments

The final drill that will certify Ramon Airport as operationally ready, is set to take place tomorrow on Monday, July 16th, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. with a nighttime drill continuing from 7:30 until midnight. The airport, set to be Israel’s second international airport, together with Ben Gurion airport located in Lod, is named after pilot and astronaut Ilan Ramon and his fighter pilot son Assaf. Minister of Transportation and Intelligence Yisrael Katz, will attend the drill together with the Ramon family and the head of the Airport Division of the Ministry of Transportation. Ther dignitaries include the head of the Eilot Region Council, where the airport is located, and the Mayor of Eilat, Meir Yitzchak Halevi. Israel’s head of southern command for the Israeli police Commissioner Motti Cohen will also oversee the drill. The drill will be comprised of a fabricated emergency taking place on a plane in the air. During the drill local residents or travelers will sense a lot of traffic of emergency vehicles. Participating in the exercise will be workers from the Eilat airport, the Israeli police, firefighters, the IDF, Magen David Adom as well as other rescue organizations. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Preliminary Findings into Fatal Crash of Lt. Ramon’s Fighter Jet

September 14, 2009 8:27 am No Comments

Investigators reported on Monday morning the remains of Assaf Ramon’s parachute were found near the wreckage, adding it was not deployed. It appears the pilot did not try to eject from the plane before impact. While it may be sometime until a final determination into the crash is made, investigators are stating that based on the findings on the scene, it does not appear the crash was the cause of technical malfunction, leading us to believe human error may have played a role. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Son of IAF Colonel Ramon (Shuttle Astronaut) Killed in F-16 Crash [VIDEO]

September 13, 2009 11:40 am 6 Comments

[VIDEO LINK IN BELOW] After hours of rumors, the IDF has lifted a gag order and permits the publication of the sad news that an IAF F-16 fighter plane went down in the Southern Chevron Hills area. The pilot, Lt. Assaf Ramon, was killed in the crash, which occurred near the community of Maale Chever. It took air force search officials about 90 minutes before locating the remains of the fighter jet. Blackhawk choppers were carrying members of the elite 669 rescue unit, hoping to find the pilot alive. IAF Commander Major-General Ido Nehushtan is with the grief-stricken family, as is former commander Eitan Eliyahu, who was a colleague of Colonel Ilan. Nehushtan has ordered an investigation into the fatal crash to determine the cause. The young pilot escaped death in a training flight in March, and recently received his pilot’s wings, graduating the training program a number of weeks ago. He was the oldest of four children, and his father, Colonel Ilan Ramon Z”L, was Israel’s first astronaut, who perished along with the crew of the ill-fated Columbia NASA STS-107 Columbia mission in 2003. Funeral arrangements to be announced. YWN VIDEO LINK: Click HERE for a video of Israeli President Shimon Peres congratulating Assaf Ramon at his graduation just a few months ago. Click HERE for stories previously posted by YWN regarding Assaf Ramon. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Historic Announcement: 2nd Israeli Astronaut To Launch Into Outer Space In 2021

November 16, 2020 2:00 pm 3 Comments

Israel announced on Monday that it is sending the second Israeli astronaut in history into outer space at the end of 2021. Eytan Stibbe, an entrepreneur who founded Vital Capital Fund and a former Israeli Air Force fighter pilot, will blast off on a scientific mission to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Stibbe will spend about 200 hours in space, carrying out scientific experiments incorporating Israeli technology and scientific developments. He will begin training for the mission in the near future and will be undergoing intense training in the three months prior to the mission in the US, Germany, and Russia. The historical mission was announced at a press conference at Israel’s President’s Residence by President Reuven Rivlin, the Ramon Foundation, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Stibbe was one of the founders of the Ramon Foundation and serves on its board of directors. Tal Ramon, the son of deceased Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who was killed during the Columbia shuttle disaster of 2003, spoke at the conference. Tal’s mother, Rona, who established the Ramon Foundation following her husband’s death, passed away in 2018 at the age of 54. She suffered another personal tragedy in 2009, when her son, Captain Assaf Ramon, a fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force, was killed in a training accident The international mission will be led by Axiom space and the Israeli mission will be led by the Ramon Foundation, in cooperation with the Israeli Space Agency, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Wednesday Morning News Briefs from Eretz Yisrael

October 14, 2009 7:29 am No Comments

MK Maklev is acting to prevent the closure of the Yerucham firehouse, a move which he feels will result in unnecessary injuries and loss of life in the event of a fire. **A Tel Aviv court on Wednesday sentenced a truck driver to 5 years in prison for a 2007 accident in which he struck and killed two people. **Rock attacks Wednesday morning on Route 2, the Tel Aviv-Haifa Hwy for the second time in a week. No injuries. **Shas will head the Knesset lobby addressing higher education. **Three new justices to be sworn in on Wednesday to the Supreme Court. **About 200 people took part in Tuesday’s Shloshim ceremony in Moshav Nahalal for air force Lt. Assaf Ramon z”l. **A 60-y/o attorney will be remanded on Wednesday, facing charges of forging permits for PA residents seeking to remain inside Green Line Israel. **The Physicians for Human Rights organization sent a letter to DM Barak accusing the Defense Ministry of intentionally interfering with the organization’s efforts on behalf of Palestinians. **Following the cancelation of the multinational military exercises with Turkey, Syria announced it would be holding joint exercises with Turkey. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

IAF Apache Helicopter Gunship Makes an Emergency Landing

September 17, 2009 8:58 am No Comments

Just two days after the fatal F-16 crash that claimed the life of IAF pilot Lt. Assaf Ramon z”l, an Apache helicopter gunship was compelled to make an emergency landing near Kibbutz Gonen in the Upper Galil. There were no reports of injuries. The craft remained in an open field, under military guard, permitting technicians to make necessary repairs at the site, and the Apache took off and returned to base on Wednesday afternoon without incident. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Monday Morning News Briefs from Eretz Yisrael

September 14, 2009 8:29 am No Comments

IDF soldiers taking part in counter-terror operations throughout Yehuda and Shomron apprehended 12 suspects on Sunday night. **Firemen called to extinguish a blaze in Upper Nazareth on Sunday night were targeted by people throwing rocks as they worked the blaze. No injuries were reported. **A woman sustained a light hand injury after being attacked by Arabs hurling rocks at her in an Ir David coffee shop in Jerusalem. **Visiting US Mideast envoy George Mitchell told President Shimon Peres on Sunday that he is working towards a comprehensive regional peace. **Traffic delays to be expected in the area of the Government Complex in Jerusalem on Monday due to the Union of Local Authorities strike, which will involved fire and garbage trucks interfering with the flow of traffic in that area. **IAF commander Major-General Ido Nehushtan has suspended all training flights pending the outcome into Sunday’s fatal F-16 crash that claimed the life of Lt. Assaf Ramon. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Astronaut’s Son Handles Flight Malfunction Like a Champ

March 26, 2009 5:21 pm 1 Comment

Assaf Ramon, the son of Israel’s first astronaut Colonel Ilan Ramon has emerged unscathed from a difficult situation, a major system malfunction in his training plane. Assaf if the eldest son of the late astronaut Ilan Ramon, who perished along with the crew of the Colombia space shuttle six years ago. Assaf’s training plane malfunctioned during a routine training flight a month ago, the details only being cleared for publication now. Ramon was in a sky hawk, the training plane used on the Chatzeirim base. Seated behind him was a veteran air force flight instructor. Suddenly, the plane’s engine stalled, an occurrence described a “major”, permitting the crew to use their ejection seats to bring themselves to safety and abandon the airplane. The veteran instructor remained calm, as did his student, and Assaf was instructed to carry out a number of emergency tasks which were successful, preventing their need to eject and thereby saving the aircraft. The two then landed the plane without incident on the base. Assaf was inducted in the air force 2.5 years ago, expressing a desire to carry on his father’s work. He is considered one of the exemplary cadets, slated to graduate this summer. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Israel Opens New Airport in Eilat, Angering Jordan [VIDEOS & PHOTOS]

January 21, 2019 6:30 pm 2 Comments

Israel inaugurated a new international airport in Eilat near the Red Sea whose location has drawn criticism from neighboring Jordan. The Ramon International Airport opened Monday just north of the southern resort city of Eilat and roughly eight miles (13 kilometers) from Jordan’s Aqaba airport. Jordan contends the Ramon Airport violates international standards regarding respect for airspace and sovereignty as it is situated less than a half-mile from the border. Jordan’s complaint with international authorities may stem from concerns that the new airport will draw tourists to Israel and away from Jordan. The new airport is named after Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who was killed in the 2003 Columbia space shuttle explosion, and his son Assaf, an Israeli Air Force pilot who died in a training accident in 2009. Among the VIPs taking part were Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Minister of Transportation and Strategic Affairs Yisrael Katz. Ilan widow and Assaf’s mom, Rona, was not there to participate as she was niftar just a few short weeks ago. PM Netanyahu spoke with Ramon Airport Control Tower prior to the landing of the first flight at the airport. “Ramon, this is Arkia 763. We are very moved to be on the first flight to Ramon Airport. We see you clearly. The airport is very important vis-à-vis our national security, the development of the Negev and Eilat, and the development of civil aviation. This truly is very, very moving. This moment and this airport cause us to remember Ilan, Asaf and Rona Ramon. The Ramon family will be with us here. We are due to land.” Excerpt from PM Netanyahu’s Remarks at the Dedication: “Last night the air force strongly attacked Iranian targets in Syria after Iran launched a missile from there at our territory. We will not ignore such acts of aggression as Iran attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria and given explicit statements by Iran that it intends to destroy Israel, as the commander of the Iranian air force has just said. “We are acting against Iran and against the Syrian forces that abet the Iranian aggression. “Whoever tries to hurt us – we hurt them. Whoever threatens to destroy us will bear the full responsibility.” Ilan Ramon perished in the 2003 Columbia space shuttle disaster in the United States as he was on the flight as the first Israeli astronaut. Six year later, during a training accident involving a F-16, their son Assaf was killed. The two are buried side-by-side in Nahalal. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo Credit: ששון תירם)

Israel’s Second International Airport Set To Open Near Eilat In September

March 26, 2018 9:30 pm No Comments

During Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014, Ben-Gurion International Airport was compelled to shut, halt flights for periods of time during which rocket fire from Gaza threatened incoming and outgoing flights. The nation’s leaders realized this was an untenable situation and another airport was essential. There has only been one recognized international airport during the history of the State of Israel, but now the Ramon Eilat International Airport will join, i24 News reports. They expect one million travelers by 2025. The airport is named after Israel’s first astronaut Ilan Ramon, and his son Assaf, who died serving as a pilot in the Israel Air Force. The site of the new airport is Timna Park, some 18 kilometers north from Eilat. The airport will primarily serve travelers heading to Eilat, which saw 200,000 national travelers last year and that number is expected to double. Regarding security concerns that the airport could become a target, with border fences visible, officials explain there is a fence of 14km around the entire airport and measures are being taken to provide security. i24 concludes that persons behind the project feel the first commercial planes may land as early as this year. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

9th International Space Conference of Israel Space Agency at the Ministry of Science

January 22, 2014 3:30 am No Comments

Heads of space agencies, astronauts, and seniors in Israeli and international aerospace industries will be attending the 9th Ilan Ramon International Space Conference, headed by the Israel Space Agency of the Ministry of Science and the Fisher Institute. Simultaneously, a comprehensive, professional exhibition will take place, presenting the latest innovations by the Israeli military and civilian industries. The conference will open with a welcoming speech by the Minister of Science, Technology and Space Yaakov Perry, to be followed by the Fisher Institute director, retired IDF Brigadier-General Assaf Agmon, Mayor of Herzliya Mr. Moshe Fadlon and Ms. Rona Ramon. The first session of the conference will host a panel of senior space agencies personnel, including heads and representatives from agencies worldwide, such as NASA, ESA, Russia, China, Italy, Canada, Israel and Norway. The second session will focus on space and science and will begin with a review of the main events in the past year in this field, delivered by Prof. Ehud Behar, head of the Space Research Institute at the Technion. This review will be followed by Dr. David Dvorkin of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, who will present the history of research of the solar system and Prof. Tzvi Piran of the Hebrew University, who will deliver a lecture on the topic of “Gold in Space”. The closing session of the first day will address the issue of the security aspects of space led by retired Brigadier-General Amnon Harari, head of the Space Directorate at the Israeli Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure (MAFAT). The first speaker of this closing session will be Mr. Yossi Weiss, CEO of the IAI, who will present the space industry as an instrument of doubling Israel’s national security. Mr. Weiss will be followed by Lt.-Gen. John E. Hyten , Vice Commander of the American Air Force Space Command, who will lecture on space as a key element in US national security. The first day will conclude with the annual address of the Commander in Chief of the Israeli Air Force, Major-General Amir Eshel. The second day of the conference will begin with a session about space in the world of industry and technology, headed by Mr. Tal Inbar, head of the Space Research Center at the Fisher Institute. This session will contain reviews regarding solutions, products and technologies of Israeli and international space industries. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Bereaved Parents Call on PM to Ignore Plea from Bereaved Moms

November 14, 2009 5:49 pm 2 Comments

A day after a number of bereaved mothers called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to act towards obtaining the release of Gilad Shalit, as was reported by YWN-Israel, another group of bereaved parents called on Netanyahu to ignore their plea, urging him not to approve the release of terrorists with blood on their hands in a deal for Shalit’s release. Tzur’s son Assaf was murdered in a bus bombing attack in Haifa in 2003. Representing this group of bereaved parents was Yossi Tzur, who accused the others of “riding on the backs of celebrities”, explaining some of the children of the representatives were not murdered by terrorists to promote their case. This was a clear reference to Mrs. Rona Ramon, who husband was killed in the NASA Columbia shuttle disaster and son Lt. Assaf was killed a number of months ago in an air force operational mishap. Tzur and his supports questioned the terminology used by the mothers, who wrote “stop gambling with Gilad’s life”, asking why it is permitted to gamble with the lives of others, which is exactly what occurs is hundreds of terrorists are released from Israeli prisons. These 27 families insist, as has been seen in the past, the release of murders will carry a price tag, additional terror attacks and additional loss of life. Addressing the prime minister, they also address the Entebbe rescue mission of 1976, when the prime minister’s brother Yoni was killed in the operation, once again, when the government decided not to give into terrorists. They ask that the same approach be adopted by the current administration. Mr. Tzur asked the prime minister that if he decides to meet with representatives of the first group as they request, he asks that he and his group be permitted to meet as well. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Bereaved Mothers Turn to the PM on Behalf of Gilad Shalit

November 12, 2009 2:16 pm No Comments

A number of bereaved mothers turned to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on behalf of Gilad Shalit, calling on the nation’s leader to bring the matter to an end and to bring him home. Among the signatories were Rona Ramon (widow of astronaut Colonel Ilan Ramon and IAF fighter pilot Lt. Assaf who recently died in a training crash), Miki Goldwasser (whose son Ehud was captured by Hizbullah and his remains returned in a prisoner exchange deal), Esther Wachsman (whose son IDF Sgt. Nachshon was abducted by terrorists and executed in 1994), and Oro Laufer-Mintz (the mother of Raz, who was murdered in a 2001 shooting attack near Beit El) and an activist in the Free Shalit campaign. The mothers call on the prime minister to “find the courage and determination” to stop gambling with Gilad’s life and to bring him home to his family immediately. They point out “that some of use lost loved ones in fatal terrorist attacks yet we have mustered the strength to call for the release of terrorists to bring Gilad home”. The mothers requested a response within a week. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

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