The Honorable President Moshe Katzav and Mrs. Gila Katzav,
Madam Speaker of the Knesset, Ms. Dalia Itzik,
The Honorable Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein,
The Hasson family, residents of the Bika,
The parents of Guy who fell in Lebanon,
The Honorable Chief Rabbi,
Government Ministers, Knesset Members,
My beloved Yael Ze'evi and members of the ever expanding Ze'evi Clan,
Distinguished guests,
King David, in his eulogy for the slain Avner Ben-Ner, said:
"Surely you realize that an officer and a great man has fallen in Israel this day".
"Your hands were not bound
and your feet were not placed in chains
as one who falls before villains have you fallen!"
Rehavam Ze'evi was uprooted from our lives by despicable murderers, who had the audacity to strike down an "officer and a great man" in Israel.
"Ghandi" was a reflection of the landscape of his homeland. Every path, every cliff, every crevice, every creek and every ridge in the Land of Israel were most familiar and precious to him. His Hebrew seemed carved from the language of the prophets – rich, pure and mellow, and his manner of speech was sharp, firm and resolute.
"Ghandi" was a man of categorical truths. A man of burning and uncompromising Zionist faith in the people of Israel's exclusive right to the Land of Israel. A man with principles of steel – unbending and unbreakable.
If the diplomatic, political or demographic reality did not fully correspond with these principles – let reality adapt itself to the principles, and not vice versa.
This was Ghandi's way: a pinpointed "azimuth"; a clear compass, with no divergence or deviation; an unquestionable faith in the justness of the Zionist enterprise – and let its justice be done at all cost.
Ghandi's virtues did not make his public or political life easy. He was destined to make numerous enemies – many of them vigorously "plastered" him with slanderous labels. However, even his bitterest opponents could not fail to recognize his value, or cherish him for his faith.
Ghandi's best years were dedicated to the service of his people in the Palmach and the Israel Defense Forces. It was he and his fellow fighters of the Jewish Revival – "that flock of boys with bare elbows and knees" – who inspired Nathan Alterman when he wrote in 1948: "it is for you that the nation, at the threshold of freedom, bows and weeps. Please understand it".
Ghandi was known as a glorious commander and warrior, as well as an unparalleled staff officer. He was among the shapers of the IDF fighting doctrine and a mentor on the war against terror. It is for these reasons that he was the first to be targeted by the terrorist assassins, and to our deep regret, they succeeded.
The State of Israel pursued and captured his murderers. There will be no clemency for their crime and no atonement for their evil. Their disgrace will never be eliminated, and justice will be served to the fullest.
Had Ghandi lived, I know that he would have been a bitter and caustic adversary – to both his friend Ariel Sharon's government and mine. His voice would have been heard strongly, he would have fought against us from every platform, and we would have responded firmly and logically, but without the slightest chance of convincing him. But this we would have known for sure: he would be speaking with a heart that bleeds and from the depth of his faith, completely devoid of any ulterior motives. Sharp and scathing. Therefore, his reproof could genuinely be accepted with love, for "faithful are the wounds of a lover". Ghandi was at the same time a bitter political adversary and the most loyal, unconditional and devoted friend.
Dear Ze'evi family,
Over the past few weeks we have established in the Prime Minister's Office the Public Council for the Commemoration of Rehavam Ze'evi, in order that his image will forever be carved in the stones of Jerusalem – his birthplace – and engraved in the soil of the Land of Israel – the object of his love – inscribed in our hearts for eternity.
May his memory be blessed.