Yitzhak Kabilio (M / Bosnia, 1928), Holocaust survivor

Yitzhak Kabilio (M / Bosnia, 1928), Holocaust survivor

Biography

Yitzhak (Izzi) Kabilio was born in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia in 1928. His father founded and managed a textile factory in the city. Izzy was active in the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement. In 1941 the Germans invaded Yugoslavia, dividing its territory. Sarajevo was annexed to the Independent State of Croatia, which was in effect a German satellite state run by the murderous nationalist movement, the Ustaše. Izzy's father's company was confiscated by the authorities, he received assistance from Josip Eberhardt, who had worked in the factory before the war. Eberhardt continued assisting Izzy's family, warning them of impending deportations to camps in the east. Izzy's grandparents were arrested and deported. Eberhardt transferred Izzy and his family to Eberhardt's home, and later assisted them in their escape to Italian-controlled territory. In 1942, the family was transferred by the Italian authorities to a concentration camp on the island of Rab, Croatia (then under Italian control). After the Italian abandonment of the camp following the overthrow of Mussolini, Izzy and his family managed to escape to areas under control of the Josip Tito-led Yugoslav partisans, and joined them. After the liberation of Yugoslavia, Izzy immigrated to Israel and enlisted in the army. He later studied architecture, becoming an independent architect. Izzy married Odeda, and they have two girls, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.