A memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers who were killed in the 2006 Second Lebanon War was held at the National Memorial Hall for Israel's Fallen on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, Thursday.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
President Reuven Rivlin, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and bereaved family members were among those in attendance at the event, which saw bereaved relatives read letters written by the fallen soldiers and join together in prayer.
Speaking at the ceremony, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who said: "We went to war on a Zionist mission and out of a need to stand at the forefront and defend Israeli citizens from its enemies. In their deaths, the war's fallen brought years of quiet and deterrence, more than any other period, since Israel become a land of terrorism."
He said: "Not everything worked as requires and as expected, but the fighters' esprit de corps is what led to the impressive military achievements and created many years of deterrence and a new strategic equation that continues today."
As for military preparedness, Gantz said that "in recent years, there has been a revolution in the military, both in technological means and in the incorporation with the other arms [of the military]. We increased the scope of training, we changed the way we train for it to be focused, and we built training environments that better simulate the enemy. The ability to fight at night was upgraded. In the coming operations or Heaven forbid wars, when we need to reach deep into the enemy again, these forces, which are based both upon conscripts and reserves, will arrive immediately and with force, and will constitute a central part in the fighting. We will use them if need be, not recklessly, but with the knowledge and understanding that the military's ability to deter is necessary, existing, and ready to deploy for the missions at hand."
He said, "Of course, we wish for peace and calm, but we are willing to use our full capabilities should we be required on any front, including the Lebanese front. Attempts to sabotage the quiet on our borders have not gone unnoticed, and we are opening our eyes and acting routinely, and we are prepared for extensive activities even in an emergency."
Turning to Rivlin, who was attending the memorial ceremony for the last time in his capacity as Israel's president, Gantz said: "Time after time, you attended ceremonies to stand with the bereaved families. You were there for the wounded, both physically and mentally, many of whom from the Second Lebanon War we now embrace and are committed to. You set your home out as the home of all tribes in Israeli society. And at the same time, as a home for our dear bereaved families as well."
Gantz concluded by turning to the bereaved family members and saying: "We embrace you and honor the sacrifice you made for the State of Israel."
Speaking at the ceremony, Rivlin noted: "Fifteen years have passed since the Second Lebanon War, a war in which we lost 44 civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, and 121 IDF soldiers – the best of our fighters, who lost their lives heroically defending the residents of the north and the entire State of Israel."
Addressing the bereaved family members of fallen soldiers, Rivlin said: "There is no time for memory, no time for remembrance. You remember your loved ones all the time, every day, every hour because bereavement never ceases."
He said the 2006 war "was a war in which IDF soldiers demonstrated courage, determination, and persistence. The sacrifice and dedication of the fighters and commanders covered many times for failures that were exposed and investigated later on."
Rivlin also noted the deep sense of solidarity demonstrated by Israeli civilians during the war in his remarks.
Commenting on those soldiers who continue to carry the physical and emotional scars from the fighting, Rivlin said: "For them, the war is still going on, and it is difficult and incredibly long. I wish them a full recovery and mainly, I embrace them for their brave and difficult struggle in a war in which there is neither decorations nor medals."
As for the security situation on Israel's northern border, the president said: "We are not complacent. We have not grown addicted to the quiet from the north. We know the threat is still grave, and recent weeks have proven once again how 'quiet' is a relative and fragile term. We are aware of Hezbollah's attempts to continue to grow stronger with Iranian support and arm itself with weapons whose only purpose is to harm the State of Israel's Homefront. As I have repeatedly said to my interlocutors, presidents, prime ministers, and the heads of countries from around the world: The State of Israel will not allow Iran to establish itself in Lebanon. The State of Israel will not allow Iran to send its satellite states here, to the Middle East."
In closing, Rivlin once again turned to the bereaved families, saying: "In just a few weeks, I will end my role [as president], but my commitment to you, members of [Israel's] bereaved family, will never end. For as long as I live, I will carry you in my heart and act in your interests."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
