IDF commander of Surfside rescue unit plays 'Hallelujah' tribute to victims

98 people died in the collapse of a residential building earlier this year in Surfside, Florida.

DECEMBER 11, 2021 05:49

Updated: DECEMBER 11, 2021 18:50

Israeli Army Col. Golan Vach, who led the Israeli Army’s National Rescue Unit mission to help the Surfside condo collapse search and rescue last summer, performed ‘Hallelujah’ in tribute to the 98 victims, at the Israeli-American Council’s National Summit, (photo credit: NOAM GALAI) — Israeli Army Col. Golan Vach, who led the Israeli Army’s National Rescue Unit mission to help the Surfside condo collapse search and rescue last summer, performed ‘Hallelujah’ in tribute to the 98 victims, at the Israeli-American Council’s National Summit,

(photo credit: NOAM GALAI)

Col. Golan Vach, commander of the IDF Rescue Unit that arrived in Florida to assist in the search after the Surfside condo collapse, played the famous song "Hallelujah" on Friday as a tribute to all the victims of the disaster.

“We who were with you in the difficult moments continue hugging you and carrying you in our thoughts and prayers every day,” he said.

Vach played both guitar and harmonica simultaneously. He performed alongside Israeli-Canadian singer Nicole Raviv at the opening plenary of the Israeli-American Council National Summit that took place between Thursday and Saturday at the Hotel Diplomat.

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Miami-Dade County Chief Public Safety Officer J.D. Patterson presented Vach with an official proclamation that June 27 will be “Miami-Dade Israel Friendship Day,” honoring the unit’s efforts at the condo collapse site.

Before performing, Vach, a grandson of Holocaust survivors, noted the fact that his rescue unit's activities in Surfside marked the first time that the US allowed a foreign army to operate on its soil in a humanitarian assistance mission.