By emmitt barryWorthy News Washington DC Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Israel entered one of its most solemn national celebrations on Monday evening, when sirens sounded across the country, marking the beginning of Memorial Day with a unified moment of silence in honor of fallen soldiers and victims of terror.
At the central ceremony held at the Western Wall, Isaac Herzog and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir called for national unity and renewed commitment to the country’s security amid the ongoing regional conflict.
“The history of our people teaches again and again: When voices silence each other, danger rises. When voices sing together, the nation rises,” Herzog declared, emphasizing the importance of solidarity in times of war.
The ceremony began with the lighting of a memorial flame, followed by nationwide sirens, as Israelis paused to remember the 25,648 men and women who died defending the country since 1860, according to the Defense Ministry.
the war still continues
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that Israel’s military campaign is not yet complete, especially with regard to Iran.
Netanyahu praised Israel’s battlefield achievements in Gaza, Lebanon and beyond, saying, “We are not done yet.”
He stressed that Israel’s actions are not only defensive but also serve a broader purpose: “to protect humanity from barbaric fanaticism.”
voice of the bereaved
At a ceremony organized by Yad Labanim in Jerusalem, grieving families shared deeply personal testimonies of loss and sacrifice.
Yafit Goshen, whose son Oriya was killed during a rescue operation in Gaza, spoke about the painful reality faced by many Israeli families since the October 7, 2023 attacks.
“Grief has grown from a distant concept to a daily reality that burns my heart,” he said. “Our responsibility as a society is to be worthy of their sacrifice. There must be unity in our nation.”
Netanyahu spoke of the grief shared by bereaved families across generations, recalling the death of his own brother during the 1976 Entebbe rescue operation.
“The longing is present every day,” he said. “The eyes yearn to see smiles. The ears yearn to hear voices.”
To remember amidst the constant struggle
This year’s Memorial Day is the third since the October 7 attack led by Hamas, which sparked a long and multi-front conflict involving Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
Herzog acknowledged the high number of casualties in the ongoing fighting and said new names had been added to the list of those killed in recent days.
He said, “War is a national test.” “And as a nation, we are all facing this with extraordinary strength despite the unbearable pain.”
Yet even amid the mourning, Herzog pointed to hope beyond the war.
He said, “We live not by our sword, but by the sword.” “The soul must always be powerful… a spirit that yearns for peace, freedom and dignity.”
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