Netanyahu: 'Israel's fallen live on in our hearts'Earlier Monday, the prime minister addressed the nation at the first official ceremony for Israel's Remembrance Day, saying "22,867 of our sons and daughters have fallen in Israel's wars. It is hard to appraise the full price our people, our country has paid in their deaths. In the families that were not started, the children that were not born, the creations that were not created. But I can soundly assess the price that each and every one of you, members of the bereaved families, has paid."Chief IDF Rabbi Rafi Peretz opened the ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem with a prayer, followed by Kadish said by the father of fallen soldier Matan Baskind. Netanyahu said to those families who have lost loved ones, "I am one of you. I know how great the pain is. I personally know the feeling of a part of me being amputated, the scar that will never fully heal, the terrible sense of devastation and loss."I am familiar with the various stages. First you are in shock, then you refuse to believe the truth, then the terrible understanding starts to set in, that our dear ones will never return, that they will only live on in our hearts and dreams.I know that even with the entire nation by your side, you are destined to walk alone with your grief and with the void that has opened wide in your lives," the prime minister said. "In the dark of night and in broad daylight, and more so on days of joy and celebration, a memory suddenly comes to mind and mercilessly spears our hearts."Netanyahu said that despite the pain, the nation should "find comfort in the revival of Zion, find comfort in building the country, find comfort in the Israel Defense Forces, find comfort in the hope that better days are ahead in which 'nation shall not take up sword against nation.'"Until that day, the prime minister said, "we shall strengthen our ranks and forge our weapons, as we have learned from our history that only if we are prepared to defend ourselves can we ensure our existence. We shall not tire nor shall we lose spirit. Thanks to our fallen loved ones we can stand up tall; thanks to their sacrifice our existence is guaranteed."The prime minister's speech was followed by the placing of government wreaths on soldier's graves.Leading up to the ceremony, citizens gathered at cemeteries throughout the country for the start of Remembrance Day ceremonies. A special ceremony for overseas Mahal volunteers who fought and died during the War of Independence was scheduled to take place at the Mahal memorial near the Sha’ar Hagai Junction.Ceremonies were due to be held at an additional 43 cemeteries, and the Defense Ministry said it expects more than 1.5 million people to visit soldiers’ graves throughout the day.The ministry has purchased more than 1 million flowers, which will be distributed for free at the state cemeteries. The service is available on a special website sponsored by the ministry's Department for Commemorating Soldiers and can be accessed at: http://www.izkor.gov.il
PM: 'We will strike down terrorists with determination'
At official Remembrance Day ceremony for terror victims, Netanyahu says they died for one reason: "Because they were Jews."
Netanyahu: 'Israel's fallen live on in our hearts'Earlier Monday, the prime minister addressed the nation at the first official ceremony for Israel's Remembrance Day, saying "22,867 of our sons and daughters have fallen in Israel's wars. It is hard to appraise the full price our people, our country has paid in their deaths. In the families that were not started, the children that were not born, the creations that were not created. But I can soundly assess the price that each and every one of you, members of the bereaved families, has paid."Chief IDF Rabbi Rafi Peretz opened the ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem with a prayer, followed by Kadish said by the father of fallen soldier Matan Baskind. Netanyahu said to those families who have lost loved ones, "I am one of you. I know how great the pain is. I personally know the feeling of a part of me being amputated, the scar that will never fully heal, the terrible sense of devastation and loss."I am familiar with the various stages. First you are in shock, then you refuse to believe the truth, then the terrible understanding starts to set in, that our dear ones will never return, that they will only live on in our hearts and dreams.I know that even with the entire nation by your side, you are destined to walk alone with your grief and with the void that has opened wide in your lives," the prime minister said. "In the dark of night and in broad daylight, and more so on days of joy and celebration, a memory suddenly comes to mind and mercilessly spears our hearts."Netanyahu said that despite the pain, the nation should "find comfort in the revival of Zion, find comfort in building the country, find comfort in the Israel Defense Forces, find comfort in the hope that better days are ahead in which 'nation shall not take up sword against nation.'"Until that day, the prime minister said, "we shall strengthen our ranks and forge our weapons, as we have learned from our history that only if we are prepared to defend ourselves can we ensure our existence. We shall not tire nor shall we lose spirit. Thanks to our fallen loved ones we can stand up tall; thanks to their sacrifice our existence is guaranteed."The prime minister's speech was followed by the placing of government wreaths on soldier's graves.Leading up to the ceremony, citizens gathered at cemeteries throughout the country for the start of Remembrance Day ceremonies. A special ceremony for overseas Mahal volunteers who fought and died during the War of Independence was scheduled to take place at the Mahal memorial near the Sha’ar Hagai Junction.Ceremonies were due to be held at an additional 43 cemeteries, and the Defense Ministry said it expects more than 1.5 million people to visit soldiers’ graves throughout the day.The ministry has purchased more than 1 million flowers, which will be distributed for free at the state cemeteries. The service is available on a special website sponsored by the ministry's Department for Commemorating Soldiers and can be accessed at: http://www.izkor.gov.il