Thuli Square in Hadera – tulip sculptures

Thuli Square

   On behalf of Major Toval  Gvirtzman

     1959-1982
Tulik  sits  quietly  in the sand

  Sitting  and looking  at the blue  sea 

  Tulik’s eyes have two stars

  And he eats in the comfort of a bunch of grapes…”

                                                       (from the song “Tulik Verna”, Rama Samsonov)

Thuli was born in Hadera on June 26, 1959, the son of Yaakov and Hayota Gvirtzman. A boy full of life, graceful, with a sparkle in his eyes and a captivating smile. He loved life and was very much loved by everyone. He finished his studies at Hadera High School and enlisted in the IDF in 1977. He served in the Armored Corps in the 188th Brigade – Barak as a military officer in the 71st Battalion. He fell in the entrances of Beirut during the Galilee Peace War, on August 4, 1982 Tu Bab. He was 23 years old when he died.

For his excellence during the war, he was awarded the Commander-in-Chief’s Medal of Honor. Below is the description of the act as written in the Medal of Honor  :

The late Major Toval Gebirtzman served as the commander of a tank company during the “Peace of the Galilee” war. During the entire fighting period he led the brigade while destroying many enemy tanks. In his attempt to rescue wounded soldiers from a burning APC he sacrificed his life. In his actions he showed courage, dedication and leadership ability.

April 1983, Nissan 5733 Amir Drori, the commanding general                                                     

The square and the elements integrated into it, the “tulip” flowers and the tank tower, symbolize Thuli’s life. The “tulip” flowers are full, colorful and delight their beholders, just as Thuli was in his life. The flowers are hollow as a symbol of what was not enough in his life, the void he left behind and the   void that has opened in the lives of his lovers since his fall. The turret of the “Shoot” type tank, in which Lehm Tuli was killed beside him, symbolizes his dedication to the State of Israel for whose defense he fought, his love for tanks and the Armored Corps, and being part of the IDF’s battle heritage.