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Holocaust Survivor’s Legacy Fuels Israeli Military Leadership Amid Ongoing Conflict
At the age of 57, Col. (Res.) Eli Konigsberg dons his military uniform, embodying not just authority, but the haunting memories of families nearly obliterated during the Holocaust.
As the world observes International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945, Konigsberg serves as the deputy commander of Israel’s Jerusalem and Central District in the Home Front Command. For him, the past is not merely a distant chapter in history. It resides vividly within his memory, driving his commitment to safeguard a Jewish state that he believes is paramount for Jewish security.
“Both of my parents are Holocaust survivors,” Konigsberg, whose identity remains under wraps for safety reasons, revealed. He recounted, “My father came from a large Orthodox Jewish family in western Poland. Before the war, this family had around 700 members. Tragically, only my father and two cousins survived—three people out of 700.”
Following the harrowing experience at Auschwitz, Konigsberg’s father joined the Betar movement, attempting to reach Palestine in 1946 aboard the ship Theodor Herzl. However, British authorities detained him, confining him to the Atlit camp and subsequently exiling him to Cyprus for nearly two years.
It was only with the proclamation of Israel’s independence that he was able to finally return home.
“He enlisted and fought in the War of Independence alongside four other wars, serving in the reserves for an impressive 55 years,” Konigsberg explained, reflecting on his father’s tenacity and commitment to the state.
The losses extended to Konigsberg’s maternal side as well, where his mother’s family faced equally devastating fates. They were taken from their homes in eastern Poland, betrayed by neighbors.
“They were forced to dig their own graves under a pear tree and executed by gunfire,” he said poignantly.
In his childhood home, discussions surrounding the Holocaust were rare, yet the somber legacy loomed large. Now, he harbors concerns over a new kind of silence.
“We are 80 years past the Holocaust, and the eyewitnesses are gradually disappearing,” he noted. “Therefore, the duty to remember is a responsibility we all share.”
Feeling a sense of obligation rooted in his family’s history profoundly shaped Konigsberg’s life. As a father of four daughters and a grandfather, he has dedicated over 36 years to Israel’s reserve forces, accruing more than 3,600 days of service.
“Ten years of reserve duty in total,” he asserted. In Israel, once individuals hit the age of 45, they are legally exempt from serving. Nonetheless, Konigsberg made a different choice, stating, “When they call me, I will immediately arrive.”
Following the tragic events of October 7, perpetrated by Hamas, he found himself mobilized once more.
“What we witnessed on that day was pure murder,” he emphasized. “There was no desire for territorial gain or to alter the status quo. It was simply hate manifesting itself.”
Since the attack, Konigsberg has assumed command over rescue and engineering units operating in the Gaza Envelope, as well as inside Gaza and the northern regions. His forces have participated in body identification, intricate rescue operations, and demolition missions aimed at dismantling terrorist hideouts.
“In the coming days, we plan to reenter Gaza for further clearing and demolition operations,” he reported.
Despite the harrowing nature of his work, he finds strength in the reserve system, which reflects a unique aspect of Israeli society. “What’s remarkable about the reserves is that individuals with highly differing political beliefs can unite and work cohesively,” he observed.
He explores the lessons history imparts, asserting, “We are witnessing once more that antisemitism is persistent and will endure.”
Konigsberg pointed to the global reactions to Israeli conflicts since October 7, emphasizing the disparity in the outcry. “There are abhorrent events occurring elsewhere. Look at the Iranian regime and its suppression of its citizens, yet the outcry is diminished. But when it involves Israel and the Jewish population, the reactions are amplified,” he remarked.
For him, remembrance transcends simply honoring the deceased; it embodies a protective duty toward the living. “Every Jew’s rightful place is here in Israel,” he affirmed. “We must strive to remain united and resilient. It’s essential that ‘never again’ truly signifies never again.”
