Dear Families,

Sixty seconds separate the end of the Remembrance Day which envelopes and unites us in profound sadness, and the beginning of the celebrations marking 60 years of independence for the State of Israel.

Before we begin to celebrate 60 years of work and building of culture, sport, education and science, we will stop for one more moment, take another short breath,  and remember again the beloved sons who are no longer with us.  We honor the memory of those who did all they could and sacrificed their lives, and thanks to them – thanks to those sons who fought with courage and dedication, who cherished their country’s future more than their own lives in that same moment – thanks to them the State of Israel exists.  We promise that we will never forget their strength of spirit and their contribution; we will forever be obligated to continue defending the country for which they fought and for which they made the greatest sacrifice.

Israel’s 60th year is dedicated to the children of Israel.  While looking to the future and with the clear knowledge that looking ahead means carrying yesterday’s baggage, we promise to do this as well now, a moment before the 60th celebrations – to treasure the memory of the fallen, and remember them as we promise our children a better future.

As part of this commitment, we must continue to work and create, and be deserving of the future ensured for us by those who fell in defense of their homeland.

You, the bereaved families, relatives of the fallen and their friends – we embrace you to our hearts, and as we remember our beloved sons and daughters, we hope for a cessation of the fear and the grief, and aspire to build a better future for the children of Israel.

We extend our hand in peace to the peoples of this region – for our future, for the future of our children.  However, in our other hand we will continue to hold a weapon in defense of the State of Israel against all the threats surrounding it.  May we stop filling the cup of national sorrow.

May the memory of the fallen be blessed.