By Paul Joseph
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Remembrance Day for Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism delivered a deeply emotional address at the Yad Lebanim memorial forum in Jerusalem, paying tribute to bereaved families and the nation’s war dead while reflecting on Israel’s ongoing security challenges.
Speaking before senior state officials, including the Speaker of the Knesset, the President of the Supreme Court, Chief Rabbis of Israel, and bereaved families, Netanyahu described the gathering as a meeting with what he called his “extended family of bereavement.”
“The wound is deeper than time itself,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the grief of losing loved ones does not fade with time but remains permanently etched in national memory. He also reflected on his personal loss, referencing his brother Yoni Netanyahu, who was killed during the 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue operation.
Netanyahu emphasized that Remembrance Day is both a moment of sorrow and national unity, stating that Israel collectively remembers and honors its fallen soldiers. He cited a biblical verse from Isaiah while stressing the nation’s resilience and continuity.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister highlighted the story of bereaved mother Cheli Wolfstal, who traveled with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officers on a commemorative mission to Poland. She carried soil from her son’s grave in Israel to Holocaust memorial sites in Europe, symbolizing what Netanyahu described as the continuity of Jewish sacrifice and national responsibility.
He also referenced Israel’s military history and ongoing conflicts, including recent operations, saying the country remains engaged in what he described as a multi-front war. Netanyahu praised the IDF and security forces for their actions since the October 7 attacks, calling the current generation of soldiers a “generation of victory.”
Netanyahu further stated that Israel continues to face threats from Iran and other regional adversaries, claiming that recent military actions had prevented potential large-scale attacks on the country.
He paid tribute to Israel’s 25,648 fallen soldiers, including those killed in recent operations, as well as victims of terrorism, describing them as the foundation of the state’s independence. He also acknowledged the diversity of Israel’s fallen, including Jewish, Druze, Christian, Muslim, Bedouin, and Circassian citizens.
The Prime Minister extended sympathy to wounded soldiers, praising their resilience and rehabilitation efforts, and highlighted stories of injured servicemen who continue to express commitment to national service despite severe injuries.
Netanyahu concluded his speech by calling for national unity and reaffirming Israel’s commitment to remembering its fallen “for generations to come.”
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