After their son fell in battle, these French parents made aliyah

After Sgt.-First Class Eliyahu Benjamin Elmakayes fell in battle in November at age 29, his bereaved parents, Marlene and Lucien, decided to honor their son’s sacrifice by making aliyah from France in a move facilitated by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Aliyah and Integration Ministry.

His parents arrived last week and have chosen to set up their new lives in Jerusalem “as a way to ensure that the light of our son’s life will continue to shine despite his death,” as the city was beloved by him, they said.

Elmakayes moved to Israel at 15 years old and served his country in the IDF when he became an adult. After October 7, he reported for reserve duty as a combat soldier in the Engineering Corps. Less than a month later, he was killed while operating in the Gaza Strip.

He left behind a fiancée, five older siblings, and his parents.

Although Elmakayes did move far away from his family, his mother said, “He was always very close with me and the whole family.”

Further, “He was well known within his army unit as someone who truly loved his land and was always there to listen to others and help wherever possible,” Marlene recalled.

Elmakayes was set to be married in November, and his parents flew to Israel to take part in the ceremony. They arrived in anticipation of attending their son’s wedding. However, his parents attended his funeral instead.

“Just before we heard the news, I had the worst feeling that something terrible had happened,” his mother said. “At eight o’clock that evening, IDF representatives came to my sister’s home in Netanya. I heard her scream, and I immediately knew.”

After the shiva mourning period for their fallen son, the family returned to France with the thought of making aliyah.

“It was Benjamin’s dream that we would all live together here in Israel, so we knew that the right thing to do was to make that dream a reality as soon as possible,” said Lucien. “We know that living in Israel will ensure that his memory stays with us in a very real way.”

The organizations supporting the move 

IFCJ CEO Yael Eckstein said, “This is a bittersweet moment. We know that this is a family whose personal dreams of moving to Israel are finally coming true... yet they are doing so in such a painful manner. Especially now, we realize how every Jew who comes home to Israel during these difficult times is proclaiming the most potent message that the Jewish people are alive and will not be defeated.”

She emphasized that “this family making aliyah is a fitting and beautiful way to salute and honor Benjamin’s legacy and sacrifice in defense of our homeland. The [IFCJ] wishes the Elmakayes [family] and all of these new olim a big mazal tov. We will always continue to assist and support those who wish to return home.”

The Jewish Agency’s Chair, Doron Almog, commented that “Benjamin Elmakayes’s decision to join and serve in the IDF in defense of the people and the State of Israel is an inspiring reflection of the remarkable bravery of young Jews from all over the world in support of our land and the Jewish nation.”

“Through his heroic actions,” Almog continued, “his fate will be forever intertwined with the fate of our nation in accepting the ultimate responsibility on his shoulders – the responsibility of the physical defense of the State of Israel.”

“Benjamin’s legacy and dedication to those ideals should always be a source of incredible pride to his family and continue to inspire others in what it means to care so deeply for the Jewish people,” he concluded.

Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer said that “the parents of Benjamin, who made aliyah alone to enlist and defend the homeland and fell in battle, continue their heroic son’s path.”

Sofer added, “A few months ago, I met Marlene and Lucien at an aliyah fair in Paris and I was moved to tears when they told me that they were making aliyah. I am glad it happened today. As a ministry, we will work to assist them in every way necessary to ensure that they integrate in the best possible manner.”