A large event honoring the victims of terror from Israel and the Diaspora was held on Tuesday at Latrun's Yad LaShiryon museum, organized by Masa Israel, as Israel began observing the Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
"At the center of the ceremony were the stories of lone soldiers, new immigrants, civilians, and tourists who fell in army service or were murdered by terrorists both in Israel and around the world," the organization said in a statement.
"This was the largest ceremony in Israel that took place in English, adapted for Jewish communities around the world. The ceremony was translated into Hebrew, French, and Russian and broadcast live to hundreds of thousands of Jews around the world, including Masa alumni and community members in Russia, Ukraine, India, Morocco, Turkey, South Africa, USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina and more," Masa Israel said.
"This year we told the stories of the Eli Kay, may his memory be a blessing, who immigrated to Israel from South Africa and was killed in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem's Old City on his way to work at the Western Wall; the late Jordan Ben Simon of Unit Egoz, who immigrated from France and fell in the battle of Sajaiyeh, Gaza in Operation Protective Edge; the late brothers Barak and Amichai Itakis, who returned to Israel from Mexico City and fell in operational activity; and the late Dan Uzan from Denmark, who was killed in a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Copenhagen in 2015; and other casualties," the statement continued.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also appeared at the event, saying: "Tonight, Am Yisrael (the nation of Israel) comes together and remembers the bravery and the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers and of the victims of terror. Each person has a name and a story, and each story must be told. Amongst the fallen, there were olim (immigrants), who chose to leave their homes to protect the homes of others, to protect the State of Israel. They serve as a reminder of how fortunate and privileged we are to have the State of Israel, a home that we must never take for granted. We remember them all, we remember their sacrifice and we salute them."
Masa CEO Ofer Gutman said: "This is the largest ceremony in Israel, which is a unique bridge between the State of Israel and the young people of global Jewry. Together they meet the story of our best sons and daughters who fell prematurely for our existence. On the most Israeli day of the year, we provide Masa Fellows and alumni in Israel the opportunity to be eternal partners in the chain of generations and in the Zionist enterprise, as they experience a powerful Memorial Day ceremony, and commemorate the day in the same way as Israelis. "
Chairman World Zionist Organization and Acting Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Yaakov Hagoel said: Those who are no longer with us and those who are. Everyone is standing with us here today. And this evening, we come together and unite to remember them and their heroism, salute them and say thank you."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
