In a heartfelt address, President Isaac Herzog honored the memory of Israel’s civilian victims of terror at a state memorial ceremony. Speaking directly to bereaved families, Herzog expressed profound sorrow and sought forgiveness for what he described as the state’s failure to protect its citizens. He acknowledged the “shattered world” that families of the victims now endure, extending a national embrace to those coping with unspeakable loss. Herzog paid homage to both the tragic loss and heroic actions of ordinary Israelis caught in the violence since the onset of the recent conflict, including the mass killing of civilians on October 7th.
Herzog’s speech recalled specific families and individuals whose lives were brutally cut short, touching on the stories of parents, children, and entire families—both Israelis and foreign nationals. His words painted a vivid picture of the grief that permeates the nation, mentioning families such as the Swissa family from Sderot, young Almog Levy who lost his mother, and the Berdichevsky family whose twin infants were orphaned. These are not merely individual stories but, as Herzog put it, “our hopes” as a nation. He emphasized that the nation’s contract to protect its citizens is sacred, pledging that their memories would forever be engraved on the heart of Israel.
Reflecting on the diversity within the nation, Herzog honored Jews, Muslims, Druze, Christians, veterans, new immigrants, and foreigners who were affected by these hostilities. He invoked the heroism shown by countless individuals who stood unarmed against terror with bravery, often during their final moments. Herzog’s words highlighted the resilience and love that persists, even in the darkest circumstances.
With a call to action, Herzog urged every means be pursued to secure the safe return of captives held in Gaza and reiterated the state’s commitment to rehabilitating and supporting bereaved families. He vowed continued national efforts to rebuild affected communities, stressing that the safety of soldiers and civilians alike remains a top priority. Concluding his address, Herzog prayed for the recovery of all wounded, pledging that the memories of the victims will be preserved as part of Israel’s enduring legacy.–News Desk