Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, who is in charge of events for the 75th Independence Day of the State of Israel, informed Eliyahu Salah, one of the founders of Moshav Shetula, that she had chosen him from among those recommended by the public advisory committee to light a torch on Mount Herzl on Independence Day.
Eliyahu Salah immigrated from Kurdistan to Israel near the establishment of the state. As a lone soldier he participated in Israel's wars and was one of the founders of the Moshav Shetula on the northern border. For many years he was engaged in agriculture and industry, despite the constant threat of Katyusha rockets from Lebanon.
Over the years his house was open to those in need. Together with his partner, he adopted lone soldiers who served in the region, and worked to pass on the tradition of the Jews of Kurdistan. Aside from all that - he continued the tradition of Kurdistan Jews and wrote hundreds of poems that were collected in two thick volumes.