Photo by GPO

Bereaved Families,
Distinguished Guests

The familiar and chilling siren has just been heard, and the regular routine across the country stopped for one clear moment of unity and remembrance.  At home and on the streets, in IDF camps and at workplaces, at schools and on the road, the citizens of Israel stood silent, in grief and gratitude, in memory of the soldiers fallen in our campaigns.  On this special day, we are all one bereaved family.  Each of us remembers and raises the image dear to their heart of one of the fallen, because in Israel there is no one to whom the price of war is unknown.  For the duration of this Day of Remembrance, feelings of esteem and love arise in us, with the profound feeling of the weight of responsibility for the fate of the future of the State of Israel.  It is for Israel and for us that they – who have no equal in their goodness and who are so precious – sacrificed their pure souls.

The poet Haim Guri, in the collection “Flowers of Fire”, wrote on behalf of his comrades-in-arms as they left for battle:
 
 “--- We never swore farewell to the things we ever loved
 We only swore that we would love until death takes our lives
 We were only good and simple in the silence and the thunder
 Our souls as well… to sorrow bowed
And new-born wrinkles, silently, slowly bloomed on our smooth cheeks”.

Here at Mount Herzl, and at military cemeteries across the country, the bereaved families are now gathering.  They walk silently, slowly between the crowded rows of stone, one after the other, each family stops and gathers, bowed and solemn at the humble plot, lays a bunch of flowers on the precious name etched in rock, and pours on it their tears of grief and longing.  And as they unite with the memory of their loved one, they are surrounded by the longing of the people of Israel.

Photo by GPO

The cost of defending and securing the State of Israel is extremely high, priceless, but without which we would have no rebirth and existence.  This is the “silver platter” on which in endless sacrifice and dedication we were given independence and freedom.  Those who are gone cannot return, but may they always be in our mind’s-eye.  The virtue of their sacrifice will be revered; in their light, we will educate our children; the example of their heroism will be an oath of allegiance to honor, love and protect this precious and good country, our national home, the cradle of our homeland and hope, which was paid for with the blood of the fallen soldiers of Israel’s campaigns; we will defend it with daring and determination from every enemy and foe, and will be prepared and ready to remove any threat and danger; we will be proud of it, we will show respect for its symbols and scorn all those who hate and besmirch it, and to those who rejoice in hurling shame and abuse.

And what is more, our duty to the fallen is:

• To grant you, the bereaved families, a supporting shoulder, to embrace you to our hearts in friendship and a shared sense of destiny.

• To act unceasingly to mend and improve the way of life in the State of Israel; to nurture social justice, national unity, economic prosperity and quality of life; to root out from among us depravations and phenomena such as organized crime, corruption, violence and the unforgivable carnage on the roads.

• Not to let go or despair of the faith and the vital effort to achieve the longed-for peace, peace with security; to examine seriously every diplomatic initiative; to exhaust every opportunity; to be prepared for far-reaching compromises and even very painful concessions, as long as our vital and existential interests are preserved, in order to fulfill our powerful aspiration to peace.

The fallen soldiers of Israel’s campaigns, our brothers and sisters the heroes of glory, are the majesty of our nation.  They are painful testimony that the existence and security of the State of Israel should not be taken for granted and were not achieved without heartrending cost.  Today we will remember – and each and every day – with humility and love, our fallen; as we remember them, we will not forget the suffering of the wounded in battle and the disabled who bear the scars of war on their bodies and souls.  The fate of our kidnapped and missing soldiers will not fade from our agenda and we will spare no effort until the boys are back home and in the embrace of their agonizing and hopeful families.

Before we celebrate the State of Israel’s 59th Independence Day, today we lower our flag and cherish those who granted us, through their valor, blood and lives the gift of freedom and rebirth.

May their memories be blessed and bound forever to the eternity of Israel.