Honouring Israel’s fallen

Get The AJN Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

ISRAEL’S fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks were remembered almost 14,000 kilometres away, in a community ceremony on Sunday evening.

Around 1000 people, including family and friends of fallen soldiers, attended the Yom Hazikaron commemoration, organised by the Zionist Council of Victoria (ZCV) and its affiliates.

Held on Mother’s Day, the commemoration acknowledged the ultimate sacrifice made by many Israeli mothers, fathers, sons and daughters.

Speaking in Hebrew with English translation on a backing screen, Israeli Ambassador to Australia Yuval Rotem paid tribute to the fallen.

“It’s on this day that we remember them, each and every one of them, young and fine, excited and brave, offering their heart and soul to secure the freedom of Israel,” he said. “It’s a terrible price to pay, it’s hard and it’s painful.

This is the price of ensuring the continued existence and of maintaining the security of Israel. The price is the loss of young lives.”

While acknowledging the “sorrow, humility and gratitude” felt by the Israeli nation, Rotem was also optimistic about Israel’s future despite its challenges.

“Is someone willing to exchange our era with that of May 1948? With May 1967? With October 1973?

“From all the periods, there is none like ours. A strong Israel, prepared, mainly relying on itself, displaying impressive military prowess, a wondrous economic capability and, most importantly, amazing human capital,” he said.

Addressing his first Yom Hazikaron ceremony as president of the ZCV, Sam Tatarka echoed the ambassador’s sentiments.

“Yom Hazikaron also challenges us to remember with pride the reason and the purpose for which so many have made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

“The Jewish people, more than any other, are a people of collective memory: The Torah commands memory and our history demands memory.”

DALIA SABLE

Photo: Peter Haskin