Yaakov Granek was a prominent member of the Fighters for the Freedom of Israel (Stern Group) and an officer in the IDF.

Born in Poland in 1923, Yaakov became actively involved in the fight against Nazism at a young age when he participated in the defense of Warsaw from the Nazi invasion. Despite being captured, he managed to escape to Mandatory Palestine by jumping off the train transporting him to the POW camp.

Upon arriving to the Land of Israel he joined the Irgun (Etzel) and later moved to the Stern Group after the split. Known by his underground nom de guerre “Blond Dov,” Yaakov became one of the most notable and courageous members of the Stern Group.

He participated in and commanded numerous operations that aimed to oust the British rule from the Holy Land. In one notable operation Blond Dov led a group of Stern Group fighters under the very nose of the British and freed Yisrael Eldad, one of the leaders of the Stern Group, from captivity.

After Israel declared independence, Dov joined the IDF and served as an officer in a special forces unit under the command of Moshe Dayan. On December 26, 1948, he was killed leading his forces in an attack against the Egyptian Army during Operation Horev.

Streets in Ramat Gan and Be’er Sheva were named in his honor, and numerous plaques throughout the country can be found detailing his heroic exploits.