Sorin Hershko, born in Romania in 1955, became a powerful symbol of courage, sacrifice, and resilience in modern Israeli history. After immigrating to Israel with his family in the 1960s, Hershko served in the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade. On July 3, 1976, he had already completed his discharge formalities, but a delayed transport vehicle left him stranded at his base. When orders arrived for the rescue operation at Entebbe Airport in Uganda, he volunteered to join the mission, taking a comrade’s rifle.
During the assault, Hershko was struck by heavy gunfire in the upper lip. The bullets shattered his C4 and C5 vertebrae and severed his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down at just 21 years old. On the Entebbe tarmac, he was kept alive using blink signals and assisted breathing before being evacuated.
Hershko refused to allow his paralysis to define the limits of his life. Using a mouth-stick computer interface, he pursued higher education at Tel Aviv University, earning degrees in Computer Science and Humanities and later working as a systems analyst.
He went on to devote much of his life to public service and accessibility. Through organizations including Zahal, Tikvot, and LOTEM, he supported wounded and disabled veterans and promoted greater accessibility to Israel’s nature trails.
Sorin Hershko’s story extends far beyond the Entebbe rescue itself: it is a story of extraordinary physical adversity followed by decades of intellectual achievement, civic engagement, and determination to expand opportunities for others.
Disclaimer: Dor LeDor podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Content is AI-assisted and fact-checked for historical accuracy. Views expressed are our own; listeners should conduct independent research. We accept no liability for errors or omissions.
