Israeli Air Force pilot cadet Cpl. Lihu Ben-Bassa, 19, who was killed in a plane crash near Kibbutz Mishmar Hanegev on Tuesday, was laid to rest Wednesday afternoon at the military cemetery in Rishon Lezion.
Ben-Bassa was three months into his pilot's course. He is survived by his parents and his twin brother.
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The fallen cadet's father, Shlomi, eulogized his son: "Forgive me, my son. You're in every one of my tears and you'll continue to live in every cell in my body. I did the best I could as a father. I'm sorry I didn't do more. Now you'll be present every second of my life. You're in my heart forever, and I carry you with me all the time. Rest in peace. You're not alone. You never will be, I promise."
IAF flight school commander Col. Yuval Harel, also spoke at the funeral.
"You went out for your last flight with [Itay] Zaiden, one of our best pilots and instructors, your experienced and skilled squadron leader. Your friends say that before the flight, Zaiden hugged you like a father and you told them how excited you were to be heading in the right direction, and then it happened.
"Since yesterday, we've been trying to understand what happened. There are a lot more question marks than answers. We will probe the incident, we will learn from the mistakes and how not to repeat them," Harel said.
Shibolet Ben-Bassa, the late cadet's mother, said Wednesday: "My Lihu – the wonderfuly boy you are, you went to serve with some much joy and hope. I held myself back from talking to you about my fears, I didn't want to stop your flight and your commitment.
"God, why? Why you? I don't understand. A gentle, quiet boy, but you have so many talents and so much wisdom in every field … What will we do without you?" she lamented.
IAF flight instructor Maj. Itay Zaiden, 42, who was killed the same crash, was laid to rest Wednesday morning. At his family's request, the funeral was private and the media was not invited to cover it.
The residents of Kibbutz Shoval in the northern Negev, where Zaiden lived, were in heavy mourning. Zaiden's widow, Michal, and his four children – asked not to be interviewed.
Family friend Lior Reiser, spoke on their behalf. "Itay was a very close friend, the best of the best, salt of the earth, a family man, everybody's friend, someone who had wonderful charisma and humanity. His death is a disaster for everyone."
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