Family of fallen British-Israeli soldier launch campaign for memorial healing space

The family of British-Israeli soldier Benji Needham, killed in Gaza nearly two years ago, have launched a £250,000 campaign to build a memorial healing space overlooking the landscape he loved.

Needham, 19, was serving in the IDF when he was killed defending Israeli communities during the early months of the war. His siblings have unveiled plans for ‘Benji’s Light Point’, a lookout in Zichron Yaacov designed both as a remembrance project and a therapeutic setting for those affected by conflict.

The fundraising effort is being run by teams in Israel and the UK, each operating their own pages that feed into the same central campaign total. At the time of writing, the wider campaign stands at ₪454,342 (around £106,000).

One of the UK-linked pages, led by Benji’s sister Yael Schlagman, has raised more than £16,000 towards her internal target of £25,000 – all of which contributes to the larger £250,000 goal.

The planned site will host youth programmes, volunteer days, therapy activities and gatherings for bereaved families, while also offering a quiet space “to pause, breathe and feel Benji’s presence,” relatives said.

The family described the vision as “a living and breathing memorial that continues Benji’s values of connection, kindness and service”.

The lookout is expected to open next year, subject to funding and planning approval.