UK community heartbroken at death of IDF soldier, 20

The UK Jewish community is mourning the loss of 20-year-old British Israeli soldier Sergeant Yisrael Natan Rosenfeld, who fell in Gaza while serving in the IDF’s 601st Combat Engineering Battalion.

Natan grew up in Hendon attending the Independent Jewish Day School (IJDS) and going to North Hendon Synagogue but moved from London to Ra’anana as a child with his family 12 years ago.

He was reportedly killed by an explosive device in Kafr Jabalia in northern Gaza on Sunday as his bomb disposal unit was conducting operations in the area.

Lady Deborah Kestenbaum, who was chair of governors at IJDS, while Natan was a pupil there, told the JC: “I remember that Natan was the most smiley, happy, lovely little boy. There are a couple of members of staff still working at the school who taught Natan, and they are heartbroken. The whole IJDS family are in real mourning for him; we feel the loss deeply.”

Natan’s mother Sam was, for many years, a teacher at the school and Natan’s father, Avi, who is originally from Sweden, was very involved in the youth movement Bnei Akiva whilst in the UK. “They are a gorgeous family,” Kestenbaum said, “and really beloved.”

Two former classmates of Natan flew out to Israel from the UK to attend his funeral on Monday in Ra’anana. They were joined by thousands of people, including members of the public and soldiers, who walked in a procession, holding Israeli flags and paying their respects to Natan before he was buried.

Delivering a tearful eulogy, Natan’s father, Avi, said he was proud of his “hero” son. Appearing on Israeli television a few hours before the funeral, Avi shared how he and Natan had enjoyed a close relationship, how they used to go motorcycling around Europe and would always make time for each other to catch up over a beer or a burger.

“We have no regrets for making aliyah. There is no other place we’d rather be in the world,” Avi said. “We are very happy, but we have had to pay a very heavy debt to live in this country.”

Natan’s mother, Sam, admitted that it “didn’t seem real” when army officials came to their home to inform them of Natan’s death. “It was just so unreal,” she said, “What made it real was seeing him [on Monday morning], seeing him battered and bruised, and so cold. But we know he’s not there anymore; it’s just his body.”

She said Natan “loved living life to the full”, adding: “There was not a minute to waste. Literally, as soon as he got home from the army, he would be out seeing people. He had a great group of friends that he loved to see and go out with, to do silly things with and just hang out; that was what he loved to do,” she said.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said he was “heartbroken” to learn of Natan’s death.

Mirvis said Natan’s family’s decision to move to Israel was one “rooted in deep love for Israel and the Jewish people. That he gave his life in defence of both is a source of immense pain but also of lasting honour.

“We mourn his loss together with his parents, Avi and Sam, his family, and all who knew and loved him. May his memory be a blessing, and may we soon see the day when no more families will endure such sorrow.”

Natan is survived by his parents, two sisters and one brother. His sister’s boyfriend was killed fighting terrorists near Kibbutz Sufa on October 7.

Natan was the 20th IDF soldier to be killed in action in June, and the 441st since fighting began 21 months ago. At least two other British nationals serving in the IDF have been killed on or after October 7 2023. Nathanel Young, 20, was killed on October 7 during the Hamas terrorist attack and Binyamin Needham, 19, was killed in December 2023 while fighting in Gaza.