Remembering the fallen

MORE than 250 people watched as Meir Holtz fought back tears while addressing a Yom Hazikaron service for fallen Israeli soldiers on Sunday night.

Holtz told the story of his cousin, and best friend, Nachshon Wachsman, who was kidnapped and killed by  Hamas terrorists in 1994.

“I celebrated my bar mitzvah and I was a bit upset because Nachshon wouldn’t be there because he was in Lebanon defending our country,” Holtz, who is Sydney’s Bnei Akiva shaliach (emissary), said.

“As I was giving my bar mitzvah speech, I saw a soldier walking up the stairs all covered in black and when I saw his face it was the happiest part of my celebration. It was also the last time I saw him.”

Wachsman was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and his family was told he would be executed unless Israel’s then-prime minister Yitzhak Rabin released more than 200 terrorists from prison.

The IDF launched a raid to try and save Wachsman 45 minutes before he was due to be executed. But during the initial moments of the operation, he was killed by Hamas terrorists. He was 19 years old.

Holtz was overcome with emotion and struggled to speak as he recalled how he felt the night thousands of people attended his cousin’s funeral.

“I remember coming with my dad and brother trying to push our way through, but we didn’t make it to the grave that night,” he said. “I remember thinking as a 13-year-old that they didn’t have any right to participate in my personal moment of grief.

“It was only years later that I realised my personal moment was not only mine, it was part of our nation’s history.”

According to Israel Embassy spokesperson Einat Weiss, 183 Israelis have been killed in the line of duty over the past year, but she said Israel must continue to strive for peace. “We have learned that the olive branch of peace will only be obtained if we are strong and willing to defend our country,” she said at the service. “The fighters gave their lives for the revival and security of the State of Israel.”

JOSHUA LEVI

Meir Holtz told the story of his cousin, Nachshon Wachsman, who was kidnapped by Hamas