‘The memory of the fallen will be engraved in us for generations to come’ – PM Netanyahu and President Herzog address memorial for soldiers killed in Iron Swords War

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both spoke Thursday afternoon at a ceremony held at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl military cemetery honoring the victims of Oct. 7 and the fallen soldiers of the Iron Swords War between Israel and Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

Herzog spoke about the “burning, aching thread” connecting the generations of Israel from War of Independence until the Iron Swords War. 

“A burning, aching thread runs through the generations of bereavement in this beloved land,” Herzog stated, “from those who fell in the War of Independence and the early years of the state, through all of Israel’s wars, and up to the fallen of these last two years, the terrible, shattering disaster of October 7, Simchat Torah, and the weeks and days since, when messages of tragedy have continued to reach us. A thread of devotion, love, heroism, and loss binding you, beloved families, in a shared fate; binding us all, the entire people, to you.” 

The Israeli president spoke about the IDF warriors who carried pictures of the hostages into battle with them, as a reminder of why they were fighting. 

“In this sacred ceremony, in this sacred place, I wish to speak as President of the State of Israel to you, my dear ones, and to all the bereaved families, to bow my head in reverence and say thank you on behalf of the State of Israel. Thank you for the sons you raised warriors of courage who did not hesitate when called to rescue the State of Israel, to defeat the enemy, and to bring the hostages home. Warriors who carried photos of the hostages in their pockets and courage and strength in their hearts.” 

The memory of all those, “aged 18 to 96, from every community of Israel, who left everything behind, donned olive uniforms, and went out again and again to defend our shared home.” 

Herzog reminded those gathered that Israel’s strength lies in its unity. 

“And we have learned, or been reminded, that we are brothers and sisters, and that this memory must be engraved in us forever. In that brotherhood lies our strength. It is the lifebreath that sustains us.” 

He warned against the spirit of political enmity, which would turn Israeli against Israeli. 

Quoting Rabbi Doron Peretz, who cried out at the funeral of his slain son, Daniel Peretz, “Our brother who argues with us is not the enemy! Our brother who disagrees with us is not the enemy! The enemy is Hamas! The enemy is those who killed Daniel! The enemy is those who seek to destroy us!” 

“When we refuse to yield to extremists and sowers of discord among us, when we choose to unite around a shared flag and mission there is no goal beyond our reach,” Herzog stated. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the families and officials who gathered for the memorial event, bringing a message of the courage, endurance, and resilience of the people of Israel in the face of the extreme challenges facing them. 

“My wife, Sarah, and I embrace each and every one of you as we also embrace the families of the hostages. Those who returned to Israel and those who will return to Israel,” Netanyahu said. “And we are committed to returning all of them to the last one. Since the outbreak of the war on Simchat Torah two years ago, we have thought every day about our fallen heroes.” 

“I know the magnitude of your grief, I know the lives that were changed by the sword, I know the moment when it suddenly became clear to us how happy life was before.” 

Netanyahu quoted the mother of slain soldier Ido Samih, who said, “My son is not just a casualty, a meaningless casualty. My son is the foundation on which the state is built.” 

“It is so true,” Netanyahu remarked. “Our wonderful sons and daughters, who gave their lives in the battle, are the foundation of the resurrection of Israel – Jews, Druze, Christians, and others. They worked shoulder to shoulder to achieve all the goals of the war, and we will indeed achieve all the goals of the war. The memory of the fallen will be engraved in us for generations to come.” 

Netanyahu also spoke about the brutal attack by Hamas, saying that it was the true attempt at genocide. 

“Two years ago, we received a shocking illustration of the expression 'genocide.' I'm not talking about fictitious genocide like the anti-Semitic libels that are being hurled at us,” the prime minister explained. “The October 7th massacre was a monstrous murder in every sense of the word, a merciless slaughter of babies, children, adults and the elderly. If these murderers could do it, they would slaughter each and every one of us. This is the real genocide, and the encounter with it stunned us and immediately united us with an iron fist.” 

Netanyahu said that Israel’s enemies underestimated “the strength that was in us.” 

“We stood on our feet as one man, we mobilized immense and mighty souls, we fought with uncompromising strength on seven fronts, we shifted the focus of the fighting to enemy territory, we dealt him crushing blows. The people of Israel, the people rose like a lion,” the prime minister said, referencing the name of the 12-day Israel-Iran war, Operation Rising Lion. 

Netanyahu described the situation of Israel and the Middle East as one of “great challenges”, as well as a “clash between barbarism and enlightenment,” and spoke about expanding “the circle of peace.” 

“Israel is at the forefront of the clash between barbarism and enlightenment, between endless cruelty and humanity. This struggle spans the world and revolves around one question – will we go back to the dark fanaticism of the Middle Ages, or will we step forward to a future of stability, prosperity and peace?” 

“We still have great challenges ahead of us from our enemies who want to rearm,” Netanyahu noted. “Great challenges alongside great and dramatic opportunities to expand the circle of peace. We are working on both levels together, and what is required in both is unity. Unity in war – and unity in peace.” 

“Our beloved country, the State of Israel, is a solid rock in the turbulent and wild Middle East,” he continued. “Our ancestors built a home here, and we who walk in their path continue to ensure the home and the existence of the succession of generations for the sake of our children, for our grandchildren, for our great-grandchildren, for the sake of future generations.”