Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed on Thursday that Israeli resolve will prevail over its adversaries due to the determination and sacrifice of its security forces.
Speaking hours before Israel was to begin observing the Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day, Netanyahu spoke at an event marking the start of events in Jerusalem in honor of the 23,928 service members and thousands of terrorism victims who have been killed over the years.
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"I am doing my utmost to prevent the loss of life," Netanyahu said. "But our contingency plans are ready for the day the order is given, and only if we are willing to defend and willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice will we be able to guarantee our existence and our future."
Netanyahu recalled the day he attended the funeral of his brother Yoni, who had been killed in the daring rescue mission Israel launched to free the Entebbe hostages in 1976. Speaking to bereaved families, he said, "We all remember that moment when you see the fresh grave, the deep scar it sears on you, the empty home, the wounded heart that never fully recovers. But we learn how to reinvent ourselves and live our lives, for us and for them."
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