Avi Har-Even, Israeli aerospace scientist dies of Acre attack’s injuries

During the attacks that led up to and continued through the 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, two luxury hotels were destroyed.

Har-Even succumbed to critical injuries he suffered last month when Palestinians torched the Effendi Hotel where he was staying in the ancient, mixed city of Akka. The hotel was damaged. Har-Even was hospitalized in critical condition, sedated and on a ventilator.

He was admitted to Rambam with burns and with severe smoke inhalation. He was intubated and sedated throughout his stay at the hospital.

Har-Even, Romanian-born, graduated from the Jerusalem Hebrew Gymnasium, and went on to serve in the IDFs Artillery Corps, eventually becoming an officer in the 402nd and 404th battalions.

In 1959, he was sent by the IDF to complete a degree in electrical engineering at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, after which he returned to the IDF as an officer heading artillery research development.

Har-Even went on to serve as a commander on the Hawk missile battery near the Dimona nuclear facility.

In 1965, he went to Uganda to help establish the country's air defense. He went on to found the Meital unit which encouraged and headed partnerships and research with other countries on security defense systems. 

Har Even also served in various senior positions in the Israeli aerospace industry, serving as the head of the Israel Space Agency in 1995, remaining in that position until September 2004.

"Avi Har Even was brutally murdered by those who burned a hotel down," tweeted Joint List MK Ofer Cassif, sending his condolences to the family.