1,594 Broken promises

This evening at 20:00 Israel time, a 60-second siren will cut through the air and hearts, during which the country will stand still for a moment of silence and remembrance for the fallen soldiers of the IDF. This will be the official sign of the commencement of our National Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron).

Every year this day is emotionally painful. This year, it will be much worse. Israel is turning 76, and no one could imagine that we will be commemorating this day, in such a tragic manner.

In 1973, during the horrific battles of the Yum Kipur war (which took place in October as well), Chaim Hefer wrote the lyrics of "The Last War", which was composed by Dov (Dubi) Seltzer . It's a father's promise from the front to his little girl, that this will be the last war. The last time that fathers, brothers, and sisters will be called to the front, and won't return.

In Oct. 2023, Israel woke up to the worst of days the Jewish and Israeli people had experienced since the Holocaust. This promise was broken.

Israel has been drawn to the longest war it has ever had to fight, on 5 fronts, one of which is thousands of kilometers away from Israel. Iran.

#BringThemHomeNow

At present, there are 133 Israelis held hostage by a terror organization for 219 days. This alone is incomprehensible. Moreover, until this day, it is not clear how many of those people are alive, and in what condition.

There are sick elderly people there, who according to evidence of survivors who returned, are fed 6 dates a day and a quarter of a Pita bread.

There are young women who were abducted, abused, and raped, who are still abused in captivity for 219.

Can you envisage this?

If this was your daughter, how would this make you feel?

There are men of different ages, snatched from their beds, houses, and families on a Saturday Holy morning. Ironically, these were the most avid peace supporters Israel had. Liberal people with good hearts and a true desire for lasting peace with their neighbors. Those neighbors, civilians armed with hammers and knives, came in with the armed terrorists and abducted them.

We remember

Since last year’s Memorial Day, 760 names of our sons and daughters were added to the national collective memorial. 711 of them in the last 219 days.

So many unfulfilled promises for a full and meaningful life.

834 civilians were killed since Oct. 7th 2023, by terror attacks.

A total of 25,034 men, women, and children have been killed in terrorist attacks and defense of the Land of Israel since 1860. These are not merely names on a memorial monument. These are the lives of young people, who will forever remain 18, 19, or 21. Like my son’s friend who has fallen on Oct. 7th.

We are a small country, and this affects us all. For me, this year’s Independence Day, will be a sad one. I can’t feel the joy of our national holiday when we are still missing 133 of our brothers and sisters, we have displaced citizens who were forced to leave their homes and don’t know when they will be back, and while Israel is fighting on 5 fronts for 219 days.

I wish for the sake of the living, and in honor of the memory of the ones fallen in defense of our country, that we will find the way sooner rather than later, to bring security and peace to our country, and live like the rest of the free nations of the world.

R.I.P

If you haven't seen this yet, you should: "Screams Before Silence "

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