On the eve of Israel’s Memorial Day, Prime Minister Netanyahu paid tribute to Israeli soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel.

In an official statement to the nation at the start of Memorial Day Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu emphasized the significance of the sacrifice made by those who fell defending the State of Israel.

Speaking directly to “my brothers and sisters, to the bereaved families,” Netanyahu noted that their fallen loved ones “fell on behalf of the revival of our people and our land.”

“This day is the most difficult for us. The warm embrace that we receive strengthens us but it cannot console us for the terrible loss. The pain rends our hearts, the grief chokes us and the longing will never go away.

“On this day the people of Israel bow their heads in respect and gratitude. The poet Shlomo Sokolsky… wrote: ‘There is no conquering the top of the rock – if there is no grave on the slope.’ This is the reality of our life in the past 67 years since the establishment of the State of Israel and even before.”

Israeli soldiers solute graves of fallen Israeli soldiers

Israeli soldiers solute graves of fallen Israeli soldiers.

“Last year many more families were added to the family of the bereaved including the families of those who fell in Operation Protective Edge whose sons fought to restore quiet and security to the cities of Israel and the communities of the south.”

“On Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars, we recall the heroism of those who gave their souls for the existence and security of the State of Israel,” he said.

“Thanks to them can we continue to live our lives here and continue to raise our children and grandchildren here.”

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Source: Israel National News