In a striking display of solidarity, hundreds of young North American Jews are choosing to immigrate to Israel despite the ongoing Gaza war. Many of the newcomers are not only committed to building their lives in the Jewish state but are also planning to enlist in the IDF upon arrival. 

From June to August, approximately 1,500 North American immigrants arrived in Israel through the collaborative efforts of Nefesh B'Nefesh, the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, the Jewish Agency, Jewish National Fund-USA, and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael. The majority of the new olim are young adults who have decided to tie their futures to Israel, particularly during this tumultuous period.

Since Oct. 7, about 3,170 new immigrants have made their way to Israel from North America. Nefesh B'Nefesh projects that an additional 700 will arrive by the end of September. Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, CEO of Nefesh B'Nefesh, expressed his admiration, "The significance of the number of immigrants arriving here, especially during these challenging times, is beyond words. They serve as a wellspring of strength and inspiration for all of us." Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer pledged ongoing support, "Our programs will continue to assist immigrants and motivate thousands more to take this momentous step."

Israel Hayom spoke with three youngsters who immigrated to Israel in late August, having made their decision even before the current war erupted. Far from deterring them, recent events have only reinforced their conviction that they've made the right choice.

Atara Teitelman, 21, New York

"I aspire to be part of a nation that stands firm in its convictions"

Atara, a Stern College graduate, was raised in an Orthodox Zionist household. Her father serves as a synagogue rabbi, and she attended a Jewish school during her Brooklyn upbringing. She recalls that Israel was a constant topic of conversation at home, with discussions ranging from the country's history to observances of Yom HaZikaron and celebrations of Jerusalem Day.

After completing high school four years ago, Atara spent a year in Israel, studying and living at Kibbutz Migdal Oz in Gush Etzion. "That year exposed me to Israeli culture and gave me a profound sense of security. I connected deeply with the values of the people here and realized that Israel is where I want to raise my future family."

Atara subsequently returned to the US to care for her younger sister, who was battling cancer, and began her studies at Stern College in New York. Now, she feels the time is right to make her move.

"I want to be part of a nation that stands firmly for its beliefs and remains resilient. It's somewhat daunting, but I've been planning this aliyah for years, and Israel is always facing some challenge. Even when I think the situation has calmed and it's a good time to move, who can guarantee what next month might bring? Yes, it's scary, but sometimes you need to embrace that fear and move forward."

Atara plans to settle in Jerusalem's Talpiot neighborhood and work with the Bnei Akiva youth movement. She will soon begin pursuing a degree in business administration.

Grace Schenk, 30, Chicago

"Waiting for complete calm would mean never making aliyah"

Grace's most recent visit to Israel was in April 2023, a ten-day trip to see relatives in Metula and Ashkelon after a four-year absence due to the pandemic.

"It felt as if I had never left. Being there felt completely natural," she reminisces. Upon returning to the US, Grace experienced a sense of unease. "I felt deeply saddened. I realized I wasn't where I wanted to be in life. When I confided in a friend about my desire to make aliyah, the moment I voiced it aloud, I felt an immense weight lift from my chest. My instincts had recognized what I truly wanted before my conscious mind had caught up."

Breaking the news to her parents was challenging. Grace also sought advice from her grandmother, who had immigrated to the US from South Africa in her twenties. "I asked her about her experience, and she emphasized how different it was then. There were no phones or instant communication like we have today. When she left South Africa and her family, she knew she might never see them again. She reassured me, 'It's okay, I know we'll see each other again.' Today, the circumstances are very different."

Grace made her final decision to make aliyah last August, and even the outbreak of conflict two months later didn't shake her resolve. "If I wait for a period of complete calm to move to Israel, I'll never make the leap. This is something I need to do now."

Grace isn't fazed by the threat of rockets. She's already experienced attacks during visits to Ashkelon and knows exactly how to respond during alerts. Although her future apartment in Ramat Gan lacks a built-in safe room, she's already located the nearest public shelter. "For some reason, I've never been afraid of this aspect of life here," she says with a smile. 

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The annual solidarity and recognition event of Birthright Israel was held yesterday at Mini Israel, symbolizing Jewish unity during wartime. Over 2,000 participants, alumni, and volunteers of Birthright, who serve as "ambassadors" for Israel in their home countries, attended the event, highlighting the organization's contribution to strengthening Israel and its connection with diaspora Jews.

Video: The annual solidarity and recognition event of Birthright Israel was held yesterday at Mini Israel Credit: Moshe Ben Simchon

Birthright Israel, the primary organization connecting young Jews worldwide to Israel with the aim of building a strategic Zionist "Iron Dome," has brought approximately 850,000 young people to the country to date.

The celebratory event drew many prominent figures from Israeli society, including Israel Hayom publisher Dr. Miriam Adelson, who the main donor to Birthright Israel; Meir Shamir, controlling shareholder of Mivtach Shamir and chairman of Birthright Israel's Israeli Steering Committee; Brigadier General Ophir Levios, IDF chief education officer; Eylon Levy, former spokesperson for the National Public Diplomacy Directorate; Lt. Col. Or Livni-Ben Yehuda, commander of the Caracal Battalion; Yuval Sharabi, daughter of the murdered hostage Yossi Sharabi, who also performed at the event; Eden Golan, Israel's Eurovision representative; the band Hatikva 6; Hagit Yaso; and others.

Gidi Mark, CEO of Birthright Israel, opened his remarks by asking attendees to observe a moment of silence in memory of 13 young Birthright alumni who were killed at the Nova music festival on Oct. 7.

"Almost every young Jew who has come to Israel since October has come through Birthright," he said. "Some 15,000 young Jews will come here this summer, and that's not to be taken for granted. Being surrounded by Jewish friends, taking pride in Judaism, learning more about Israel and yourselves, and creating lifelong connections – this is Birthright's vision. We will never give up on our unity and mutual support."

Dr. Miriam Adelson began her speech by saying, "I prepared a speech – but decided to speak from the heart. Seventeen years ago, my husband Sheldon said to me, 'Birthright has a long waiting list, how can this be? I remember my parents wanted to come to Israel but didn't have the money.' He came from a poor family, and later, when he had money, he offered to bring them to Israel, but they said they were too old. 'I don't want Jewish children to be old and miss coming to Israel, so we will help bring all those waiting.'

"I always told Birthright participants: You will be our soldiers in the world when something happens to Israel. We need people who know our history, who know what happened to us for thousands of years, who know the truth about Israel. We need these people all over the world. To be in the White House, to vote, to influence. Today, our soldiers are Birthright participants. You fight antisemitism, fight on college campuses, wave Israeli flags on every corner.

"I want to pray for the return of the hostages, for the safe return of our soldiers, for our people around the world. I thank all Israeli soldiers of all religions. I will continue to say: You are our soldiers in the world. You came here with great courage during a war for Israel's existence, and I salute you for that.

"Soon you will need to be called upon bravely to fight for world public opinion, where antisemitic lies and libels have taken root. And like the soldiers, you too are welcomed here as heroes because of your battle on this front."

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The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) announced the outcomes of their negotiations with the German Federal Ministry of Finance on behalf of Holocaust survivors living globally. The results include a €105 million ($114 million USD) increase in funding for social welfare services. This brings the total budget for social welfare services to €893.9 million ($972.5 million USD), nearly $2 billion in funding from 2025 through 2026. Additionally, there is an increase of €51million ($55 million USD) for Holocaust education through 2028, bringing the total for Holocaust education funding to €164 million ($177 million USD) over the next four years.

Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference, said, "As Holocaust survivors age and their care is more complex, we see a need for increased social welfare services globally. It is imperative that we keep the promises we made to survivors after the Holocaust: We must ensure they are able to live their final years in dignity. We must work to guarantee they have the services and care they require. And, in this time of growing Holocaust denial and distortion, it is critical that we secure a robust foundation for Holocaust education to ensure current and future generations alike have access and opportunities to truly understand the lessons of the Holocaust. Only then can we be sure our past does not become our future. Only then can we say, 'Never again.'"

Surveys conducted this year in the United States, Canada, Austria, France, England, and the Netherlands, among others, reveal a decline in awareness and knowledge about the Holocaust. Schools worldwide have expressed a desire for education on the subject.

Social welfare services, including home care, are provided through the Claims Conference's network of more than 300 social welfare agency partners across 83 countries. Social welfare agencies engage directly with Holocaust survivors, ensuring their individual needs are met, including home care, food packages, medical needs, transportation to appointments, and socialization. Although the total number of Holocaust survivors is decreasing overall, those who remain alive require more care. These services are all essential to this last generation of Holocaust survivors.

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Y. comes from a family of fighters, a relative on her grandfather's side was a Palmach fighter who helped pave the way for women to the Israel Air Force. Growing up hearing her relative's stories, Y. knew from a young age that she would enlist in the IDF. "I'll be proud to continue her legacy," she says.

Y. says she has always loved Israel and felt she belonged here. "It was my dream to come to Israel."

Nineteen years old, Y. grew up in New York and made aliyah by herself last August as part of the Garin Tzabar program. She is assisted by the Lone Soldier Center – In Memory of Michael Levin. After her kibbutz was evacuated in the wake of the brutal Oct. 7 attack, her group moved to Kibbutz Degania Aleph near the Kinneret. She did her basic training at Michve Alon base and was placed in military intelligence.

"In high school, I went to a public school in Brooklyn. It was a very large school and I encountered a lot of anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment there. In my classes, I spoke a lot about Israel and presented the side that people don't often see. I felt that because people don't see what's really happening and don't understand, they have a mistaken view of Israel. I understood that I had a duty to speak more about Israel, and to be the voice for the country. I've always felt it's something I'm good at – explaining and advocacy. It's my mission – to speak up for Israel."

From a young age, Y. visited Israel several times. With each visit, her love for the country and understanding that she would one day immigrate there grew stronger. "My parents didn't like the idea. They wanted me to go to university like my sisters. I do plan to study at university – but in Israel. I'm staying here."

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Earlier this week, the first MEDEX conference was held in Paris, as part of a broad national program initiated by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, the Health Ministry, Nefesh B'Nefesh, and the Jewish Agency.

The aim of the conference was to encourage and accelerate the immigration of Jewish doctors from around the world to Israel, where they can help address the country's severe shortage of physicians.

This was the first time such a conference, essentially a job fair with representatives from the Israel Medical Association and medical bodies in attendance, was held in Paris.

In recent years, the MEDEX conference has been held annually in March in the United States. The conference has so far led to the aliyah of hundreds of doctors. The decision to hold a similar conference in Paris was made following a major spike in requests to open aliyah application files from there since Oct. 7.

The conference was held under heavy security. The organizers were asked by the French police to avoid displaying identifying symbols. The conference location was only provided to participants two days prior.

Booths representing all Israeli hospitals, health funds, the IDF, and emergency services were set up on site, with representatives from the Medical Association assisting with explanations about the process of obtaining a work license even before making aliyah.

Over 450 doctors specializing in various fields from all over France and Belgium were in attendance. Almost all exuded a strong sense of solidarity with what is happening in Israel, as part of their desire to finally take the step

and make aliyah.

One such doctor is Dr. Marc Abecassis, a plastic surgeon. When asked when he was planning to move to Israel, he replied, "yesterday," saying the sooner the better.

"Now is the right time," he said. Abecassis He resides and works in Paris and Geneva, and although he doesn't feel antisemitism, he no longer feels secure in France. "I think the Jews here are in danger, and it has increased since Oct. 7. The Jews here are sleeping."

Doctors Mary-Lynn and Emmanuel Dahan live in a small town near Paris. Emmanuel is a family physician with a private practice, and Mary-Lynn is a geriatrics doctor working in a nursing home. The couple have four children. The eldest has already made aliyah, the second one is planning to finish her studies and enlist in the IDF, and their two younger children are still in school. They have been dreaming of making aliyah to Israel for four years but have not taken the final step until now.

They too speak of the increased antisemitism. The religious couple avoids going out in public with religious symbols, as do their children. From time to time, when their Jewish identity is discovered, they are cursed at.

"France is no longer safe for Jews," says Emmanuel, with Mary-Lynn nodding vigorously. "We're almost 50 years old. It's not easy to make the change at our age, and there is a lot of pressure and questions, but we think it's better now than at 60," Emmanuel says with a smile.

Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, who attended the conference, told participants, "There is a major need for doctors in Israel. It's very moving to see the great interest, and we are working to facilitate and assist with the process."

Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B'Nefesh, said, "This is a historic moment. We are talking about nothing less than a message that will provide the Israeli health system with the additional working hands it so desperately needs."

The author was a guest of the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and Nefesh B'Nefesh at the MEDEX conference in Paris.

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At 21, Chani Walker's life took a turn that diverged sharply from the expected path set by her Chabad Hasidic family in Manchester, England. Raised in a community where young marriages are common, Walker made a bold decision to carve out a different future for herself. Rejecting the traditional route, she communicated to her parents her refusal to be the next in line for marriage. Instead, she set her sights on Israel, a decision that would not only change her geographical location but also her life's trajectory.

Walker's arrival in Israel last July marked the beginning of a new chapter. Joining the ranks of lone soldiers, a unique status for those in the IDF without immediate family in the country, she found a sense of purpose. Her service is supported by The Lone Soldier Center – In Memory of Michael Levin, named after an American-born IDF soldier who was killed in action.

Determined to contribute in a meaningful way, Walker underwent basic training at Michve Alon base, aiming to specialize as a parachuting instructor – a dream that speaks volumes about her aspirations for change and challenge. "I wanted to make a change in my life; I felt I was not in the right place," Walker shared, reflecting on her life before enlistment.

The completion of her basic training on March 19 was a milestone that her parents, unable to attend due to the ongoing conflict, missed. Despite this, Walker feels a deep connection to her family, including her grandmother and a brother studying in a yeshiva in northern Israel, underscoring her ties to both her new and old homes.

Walker's journey to the IDF was not just about seeking adventure or escaping tradition. It was a quest for personal clarity and purpose. "Always I wanted to enlist in the army, but coming from a Chabad family, it was forbidden," she explained. Her decision to enlist was met with joy from her parents, who were happy to see her find her path after a period of job-hopping and confusion.

Although initially interested in becoming a combat soldier, Walker's aspirations evolved. She now hopes to be accepted as a parachuting instructor or in combat engineering, a field where she has recently been placed.

Despite the challenges, including being far from her family in England and aware of the antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment back home, Walker is determined to make Israel her permanent home. She speaks of a love for the country and its people, expressing a desire to stay and build her life in Israel.

"I love Israel and love Israelis. I want to stay," she says.

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In a landmark initiative aimed at combating the critical shortage of medical professionals in Israel, the first European Medex event, a collaborative effort between the Israeli government and Nefesh B'Nefesh, was held in Paris, France. This pioneering conference is a key component of a national strategy designed to recruit 2,000 physicians from around the globe over the next five years to bolster Israel's healthcare system.

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The Aliyah and Integration Ministry, Health Ministry, and Nefesh B'Nefesh, in partnership with The Jewish Agency, have launched the International Medical Aliyah Program to streamline the immigration and integration process for medical professionals. This initiative seeks to ensure a seamless transition for these professionals into the Israeli medical sector. The event in Paris marked the beginning of this ambitious program in Europe, gathering over 400 doctors and dentists from France and Belgium.

The Medex event provided a comprehensive platform for potential immigrants to engage directly with representatives from Israeli healthcare institutions. This included opportunities to convert medical licenses, explore employment possibilities, and learn about the various incentives available to medical professionals making aliyah. Originating in the United States eight years ago by Nefesh B'Nefesh in the USA, supported by The Marcus Foundation and the Jewish Federations of North America – UIA, the program was created to address Israel's medical professional shortage. As such, the initiative has now been extended to European shores, signifying a global effort to address the shortfall of healthcare workers in Israel.

An OECD report highlighted this urgency, noting Israel's falling doctor numbers compared to the OECD average. Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer emphasized the strategic importance of attracting medical professionals to Israel, especially to the Negev and Galil regions. This initiative, according to Sofer, is vital for enhancing the national healthcare system and has been met with enthusiasm from Jewish doctors worldwide, demonstrating their solidarity and commitment to Israel.

Echoing this sentiment, Health Minister Uriel Buso highlighted the national importance of attracting medical talent to Israel. Buso sees the Medex conference as a crucial step in showcasing the opportunities within the Israeli healthcare system and as a call to European Jewish medical professionals to contribute to the nation's wellbeing.

Nefesh B'Nefesh Co-Founders, Tony Gelbart and Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, expressed their excitement and pride in this significant milestone.

"We are witnessing a historic and exciting moment for our organization as we hold this joint event for the first time on European soil. Medex is not only important to us as an organization but has proven to be an incredible asset for the State of Israel and the Jewish nation. We hope that this new national program will provide Israel's healthcare system with the additional manpower and support it currently needs. We are proud to be a resource for the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Ministry of Health and The Jewish Agency as we all work together with the goal of enhancing the quality of Israel's public medicine while providing these Olim medical professionals with a smooth transition to working and living in Israel," they said.

Chairman of The Jewish Agency for Israel, Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, highlighted the role of aliyah in strengthening Israel, particularly in challenging times. He praised the new immigrants' commitment to the state and their crucial role in enhancing the healthcare sector.

The event was attended by a host of distinguished guests and representatives from Israel's health sector, including hospitals and health funds (HMOs). This gathering underscored the collective effort and commitment to addressing Israel's medical professional shortage and improving public medicine in the country.

Since its inception, Nefesh B'Nefesh has facilitated the aliyah of over 940 physicians and more than 3,000 medical professionals, integrating them into Israel's healthcare system. This effort underscores the critical role of international cooperation and dedication in securing a robust and resilient healthcare infrastructure for Israel.

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At the age of twenty-one, Jonas Cohen embarked on a significant life journey by relocating to Israel from the United States in December 2022 through the Garin Tzabar program. This initiative is designed to facilitate service in the IDF and provide support to lone soldiers. In November 2023, he commenced his military service, successfully completed a medic course, and currently serves as a medic at the IDF's human resources instruction base.

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Despite facing numerous challenges and feeling homesick, Jonas expresses no regrets about his decision to make aliyah and asserts that he would undertake the journey again without any reservations.

Jonas, who is supported by The Lone Soldier Center – In Memory of Michael Levin, hails from New York. Raised in an observant family as the second of four siblings, he has always felt a strong connection to Israel. "I was brought up in a household where there was a profound connection to Israel, and I've always believed in the importance of contributing to the country. The sight of soldiers always inspired me to envision myself in their position one day," he reflects.

After spending a year in Israel at the age of 18 to study in a yeshiva, Jonas returned to the United States. However, the aspiration to enlist in the IDF remained unwavering, and within four months, he made a decisive commitment to join. Through the Garin Tzabar program, he arrived with a group of immigrants at the religious kibbutz Sde Eliyahu in northern Israel. There, he immersed himself in learning Hebrew, among other subjects. "In the kibbutz, communication was exclusively in Hebrew. It necessitated rapid learning on my part," he recalls with a smile.

Following several months at Sde Eliyahu, Jonas finalized his aliyah process and, about a year later, moved into an apartment in Jerusalem with fellow lone soldiers as roommates. Prior to his enlistment, which was delayed due to allergies, he dedicated his time to volunteering with Magen David Adom emergency services. "I found great joy and satisfaction in being a paramedic, which led me to my current role as a medic," he states.

On Oct. 7, Jonas was in synagogue when the rocket sirens began to blare. He says that initially, the congregation was unperturbed, underestimating the gravity of the situation. However, the arrival of police and the directive to move to sheltered areas signaled the seriousness of the circumstances. 

"Upon returning home and receiving a call from my roommate, a paratrooper, requesting preparation of his gear, the reality of our situation became undeniable. It was weeks before I saw him again," Jonas recounts.

Jonas's parents harbored concerns about his move to Israel and his decision to enlist. 

Nonetheless, they recognized his determination and respected his choice, though their worry was palpable. "They knew things happen in Israel, and that's exactly why I wanted to enlist. They understood that I chose to be here and that it was my decision. They tried not to show me their concern, but I know they were worried," he shares. 

Recently, Jonas was reunited with his family, who visited Israel about three weeks ago. The surprise meeting at the airport was an emotionally charged moment. "Having not seen them for a year, the reunion was profoundly moving. It was a moment of strength and reconnection," he recalls.

To those contemplating a similar path, Jonas offers a candid perspective, "The decision to serve is not one to be taken lightly. It entails significant sacrifice, including prolonged separation from family. However, for those on the fence, I pose the question: Why not? Why not contribute to the utmost for the country?"

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Twenty-year-old Lila Zucker, a fighter in the Home Front Command's search and rescue unit, has done a lot in the past five months since the outbreak of the war. 

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She scanned buildings hit by missiles, was in Be'eri, fought in Gaza – the only soldier from her team to enter the strip – and now she is in the north of Israel and visits sites of fallen missiles. 

It is clear to her that after military service, she will stay in Israel. Her older brother also served as a lone soldier and when the war broke out, he was drafted into the reserves.

Lila was born in Colorado, USA and her family moved to Israel when she was a child. They lived in Jerusalem, but after ten years, they left the country and returned to the US, to Arizona, and when she was 18, she decided to return to Israel. 

For a year, she studied in a religious seminary in Kibbutz Ein Hanatziv in northern Israel, and there she began her enlistment process in the search and rescue unit of the Home Front Command. 

During her training, Operation Protective Edge began, and the fighters were called to assist in real incidents. For example, they were called to the scene of a missile fall in Rehovot, in which one woman was killed and 13 others were injured. 

"We needed to get a couple from the building. It was the first time I was in a real incident, and it was very meaningful. I learned a lot from it," Lila recounted.

On Oct. 7, Lila was at home in Jerusalem, in a special lone soldier's apartment. 

"I woke up to a missile siren and saw my phone exploding with messages. Within 20 minutes, my commander came and picked me up to take me to the base. We arrived in the central area in vehicles with our equipment and maneuvered between the rockets. After about a week and a half, we received a mission to go and scan houses in Kibbutz Be'eri".

The horrific scenes in Be'eri left their mark on Lila, and she prefers not to talk too much about what she saw. When the IDF ground operation began in Gaza, the team served as a reserve force for a battalion that entered Gaza. 

"I was in Khan Younis, and we were on standby to extract forces if there would be a collapse on soldiers from special units. In addition, we scanned routes and firing holes in Gaza".

As mentioned above, not the entire team entered Gaza. Lila was the only woman on her team to do so. 

Lila is certain she will stay in Israel after she completes her service and hopes her parents will follow suit and move back to Israel as well. 

 "In the US, life was very easy," she explained. "I had friends and family, but something was missing. In Israel, I feel at home. I can't see myself living abroad, especially during war. I had no doubts about being a fighter, I told myself that if I enlisted, then to the end".

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Sargeant Rebecca, 21, is a combat soldier in the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps' 595th Battalion. She says that she made the decision to enlist in the IDF when she was only a little girl, as someone who grew up on stories about her uncle who fought and was injured in the Second Lebanon War.

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"Enlisting in the army has always been part of my plan. Everyone told me to go to college, but I said after high school I would come to Israel and enlist. When I finished 12th grade, I came here, did a preparatory year in Alumim, and in November '22 I enlisted," she recounts.

Rebecca grew up in New York, in a Zionist home with an Israeli father and American mother. She is the oldest of four children. In her childhood, the family lived for a period in the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City, but when she was 11, the family returned to the United States.

"My father served in the Givati Brigade, but he told me to go to a girls' seminary rather than serve in the IDF; they were really afraid and didn't want me to enlist and tried to convince me to stay with them abroad, but I was determined. I announced that I was enlisting – and that was it."

On October 7, she was in Alumim and took shelter in a safe room when terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz. "I saw the terrorists and the forces fighting them," she recounts. At one point she assisted in treating the wounded.

 It was difficult for her to return to the army, but after a short break, she returned and is with her battalion in the north, gathering intelligence in the field. "It was important for me to return and fight despite the difficulty and despite what I went through on that dark Shabbat," she says. Her host family from the kibbutz was evacuated to Netanya and she has visited them several times. 

She came to Alumim for a visit right before returning to the army. Today she lives with roommates in the Beit HaKerem neighborhood of Jerusalem.

After what happened in the Gaza border communities, she is even more determined to make sure that what happened in the south does not happen in the north. "I hope we can defend ourselves properly and that the worst does not happen. Everything that happened to us only made me feel even more correct in my decision to enlist in the army. We must not forget what happened to us. We need to continue fighting here. We don't have any other country that's ours."

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