Netanyahu vows to ‘finish the mission’ at somber memorial for Oct 7 victims

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog spoke at the State Memorial Ceremony for the civilians killed on Oct. 7, 2023, lauding the resolve of the Israeli people in facing disaster and promising to “finish the mission.” 

Throughout his speech, Prime Minister Netanyahu referred to victims and survivors of the Hamas massacre of Oct. 7, who demonstrated heroism and resolve. 

“From the abysses of the fracture, the forces of our life burst forth,” Netanyahu said, speaking of the heroism displayed by Israelis from various backgrounds. “In the most difficult moments, our heroes did not hesitate – they leaped into the fire. Soldiers, female soldiers. Policemen and policewomen. Security personnel. And no less than that – citizens imbued with mutual responsibility, who acted to rescue, to save, to deliver.” 

Netanyahu also praised the heroism displayed by Israelis in confronting antisemitism around the world, linking it to the recent flydubai terror attack. 

“We will continue to struggle for the truth – and the truth will prevail. Good will prevail – Israel will prevail,” the prime minister stated. “Just as we saw the heroism of Israel’s citizens at its best on the plane from Dubai. That same heroism we saw on October 7 and throughout the War of Redemption.” 

Prime Minister Netanyahu also vowed to continue the fight against Israel’s enemies, including the Hamas terrorists involved in the Oct. 7 attacks. 

“We are eliminating them one by one – they are not worthy of walking upon the face of the earth,” he stated. “We will eradicate Hamas’s regime of blood. We will destroy it. That is how one ought to deal with those agents of darkness who aspire to destroy us all.” 

He spoke of the promise he made to Doron Journo, father of Karin Journo, who was killed in the Hamas attack on the Nova Music Festival, as she tried to hide behind an ambulance. 

Describing how Doron shared “from the depths of his tormented soul,” Netanyahu said he promised Doron, “This is my commitment. We will finish the mission.” 

“We will settle accounts with those who dispatched and carried out the horrific massacre in our towns, our kibbutzim, our cities,” Netanyahu resolved. “There is no forgiveness for the murderers, the abusers, the arsonists. There is no forgiveness for the destroyers, the looters, the kidnappers.” 

“Terrorism will not extinguish the eternal light of our nation – the light of our loved ones who were murdered,” Netanyahu concluded. “By their light, we will persevere on the path. We will persevere in reaching out a hand to one another. We will persevere in marching forward – for the future of the nation and the State. With God’s help, the victims of hostile acts will always be part of our national journey toward revival, hope, and victory. May their memory be blessed.” 

President Isaac Herzog also addressed those gathered at the memorial, including families of Oct. 7 victims. 

“Three years since the day of our catastrophe, October 7th, we bow our heads in memory of those who were murdered and those who fell in battle, and we stand by your side, our dear and beloved bereaved families,” Herzog said in his opening remarks.

“The map of mourning of October 7th includes communities and towns, kibbutzim and moshavim, fields, and roadside shelters. And it also includes one road. On the morning of October 7th, Route 232 ceased to be an ordinary road. Bloodthirsty terrorists turned it into a war zone,” President Herzog said of the route, which connects many of the Gaza Envelope communities.

“Through it, they infiltrated towns, kibbutzim, and communities, turning the quiet streets of a Shabbat morning into a battlefield. They took the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians, Israeli women and men, and alongside them many foreign nationals who had bound their fate with ours,” he continued.

“But it also became a road of rescue. In one direction, many were forced to flee, seeking to save their lives or to call for help. In the other direction, at the very same time, people drove toward the danger to offer that very help,” Herzog said of the Israelis: soldiers, police, and civilians, who drove towards the massacre.

“They set out to save their sisters and brothers. And through their heroism, we discovered one of the great truths about Israel: when someone is left by the side of the road, there are Israelis who simply cannot keep driving as if they had not seen them,” he explained.

President Herzog also referred to the heroism of the Flydubai attack, stating, “This is Israeli heroism, unmatched anywhere in the world. We saw it again just last week, in the grave disaster averted in the skies thanks to the remarkable resourcefulness of Israeli passengers on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.” 

President Herzog also called for Israelis to remember that love of fellow citizens as the country heads to elections later this month. 

“In a few weeks, we will go to the elections, and once again encounter the disagreements, the debates, and the differing opinions that make up Israeli society,” he stated.

“Precisely then, it is important that we remember the bond that was greater than any disagreement—the bond that was born on Route 232 and on that terrible morning. The bond that says, above all, Israelis do not leave anyone behind,” he concluded.