Yohanan Elishov, last survivor of Israel’s iconic Ink Flag raising in Eilat, dies at 95

Yohanan Elishov, a Palmach fighter and the last survivor present at the iconic 1949 Ink Flag raising in Eilat, passed away on Monday at 95. Born in Petah Tikva, Elishov was a prominent figure in Israel's founding generation, serving in the Harel Brigade during the War of Independence and participating in key battles, including those along the road to Jerusalem and in the Negev. His son, Yoav, noted, "When my father raised the Ink Flag, he didn’t understand the magnitude of the event. They didn’t have a flag, so their clerk took a sheet and drew on it. Only later did it become a historic icon."

• After the war, Elishov served as Yigal Allon’s driver and continued in the reserves with the Artillery Corps through multiple conflicts.
• In civilian life, he dedicated decades to national infrastructure development, working for Solel Boneh on roads and projects across southern Israel.
• His son, Yuval, described him as a devoted family man with strong values, stating, "People like my father were people with straightforward values. They had simplicity, wisdom and modesty."
• Elishov remained lucid and engaged with Israeli affairs until his death, expressing concerns about the country's direction.