Zeevi's son: Stop yearning for global recognition
Family members of former minister spared no criticism of political, diplomatic ranks at a ceremony marking fifth anniversary of his murder. 'Enough with this obsessive yearning for the recognition of the free world, that recognition is something that we Jews will never have, just as our forefathers didn't,' Zeevi's son Palmach says
His oldest son, Palmach Zeevi had harsh words for the audience: "How can it be that a government again and again devotes the majority of its time to political survival instead of running and building our country, what kind of political structure have we created?
"How could all the recent Prime Ministers think about the country when their time was rationed? This is the conduct our children went out to defend?
"Soldiers from the last debacle in Lebanon, buried here in these plots, like their comrades from all of Israel's wars, did not go to any battle to win on 'points'. If our previous wars were won on points then the language on the mountain here today would be Arabic.
"Gandhi, from the war of Independence to the 140 Mirdafim (Pursuances) he commanded in the Jordan River Valley, never had a plasma television screen in his operations room and in every engagement he wanted victory. All the recent Prime Ministers have made the world accustomed to in Israel handing out rewards for terror, instead of a routine meeting with hell."
"You have broken the ongoing chain of weakness, Ehud Olmert" said Zeevi to the current PM. "You stood against Hizbullah, only in this encounter our brave soldiers were led by commanders who talk with words like 'changing perceptions' and toy with the foolish notion that the airforce can wipe out a religious organization.
"This army was created to win in every type of combat, and this is the first time it has failed to do so. This people must be led by those who do not fear from the distance to victory. There is need for a long war, carried out with determination, and this determination we learn from Gandhi."
"Mr. Prime Minister," he continued, "even if you will need to argue with Gandhi and many others – determine the borders of the country. Go out and think and then come back and as the people. Draw the borders so that everyone may know that the Jewish people have returned to their home to stay.
"The only way to unite the nation and create a single unified victorious body amidst the Arab ocean which threatens to drown us is to draw the borders so that once and for all every Hebrew mother will know what we are fighting for and what she is sending her children to fight for.
"And then, along those borders, every staff sergeant can open fire (on infiltrators) without political red tape, and the region will know that the landlord is back because there has not been a Palestinian partner for negotiations since our return to the homeland."
Palmach Zeevi: Be leaders and not politicians. (Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski)
"So enough of this obsessive yearning for the recognition of the free world, that recognition is something that we Jews will never have, just as our forefathers did not have it. And to our neighbors we say: Those bigger and stronger than you have tried to remove us from this world, and failed.
"But we must not forget that 65 years ago Jews were led like sheep to the slaughter, we did not have a country or an army to defend us. We must look around us, and despite the frustration, we can certainly walk proud."
"I look around me and ask: where is the unconditional love for Israel that we are obligated to, that was such a part of your character, Dad? I walk through the country and displays of love for you pass over no group from all walks of life. Even Ehud Olmert, who in your life you didn't always see eye-to-eye with, is doing more for your legacy than any other politician. He even sent the IDF to bring in those who murdered you."
Three new names on his dog-tags
Gandhi's son added that his father would have disapproved of giving up land assets, and for his part saw the 'occupation' as just "an excuse to make a depleted Israel, narrow and conquerable."
"You were belittled when you spoke of the strategic value of land assets, they told you that could only be discussed in an era of rockets and katyushas.
"And here, you are surrounded by the best of our boys up there, and their presence around you must teach us the importance of these assets to a lone country in a fanatical sea. I look at the country and cry over the fresh graves and I know that we deceived them, we betrayed them."
"Remember his words," said Palmach, "be leaders and not politicians. Remember to love the country unconditionally at all times."
Zeevi's widow Yael also addressed the security situation: "The dog tags you always wore around your neck (with the names of the missing soldiers) would have had three new names this year: Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. And I know that it would have greatly burdened your heart. This country has known much sorrow this year.
"Rows and rows of graves were added to the military cemeteries, each one an entire world destroyed, a young life nipped, families where the grief will replace the calm. Salt of the earth which keeps coming here in coffins, Good Lord, how mu
ch more salt can the earth absorb?"
"In the days of war your loss was suddenly personal no more," she said, " This year your voice was missing to warn of the danger from the north. This year your voice was missing in days of confusion and hardship, to encourage and strengthen the soldiers, the residents of the north and the entire country who knew that your words were honest ones, that came from the heart… your clear voice is missing to warn our people of the dangers of surrendering Israel, surrendering Judea, Samaria, the Jordan River Valley and the Golan."
Olmert: Ze'evi was a true opponent
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert eulogized Zeevi: "Gandhi was a man of absolute principles, a man of fiery uncompromising Zionism (who believed) in the right of the people of Israel to their country. A man of iron principals which do not bend and do not break. If reality did not match these principles then reality would be so kind as to fall in line with the principles and not vice-verse. This was Gandhi's way."
Olmert added that "Gandhi's traits did not make his public and political life simple. He was prone to making many adversaries and they labeled him with a range of disparaging names, but even his fiercest objectors could not ignore his value, had to respect his belief. He was one of the inventors of the IDF's combat doctrine and a moreh hora'ah (a rabbinical ordination term for 'a teacher of lessons) in everything pertaining to the war on terror.
"For this he was first on the targets of the terrorists, and they succeeded. If Gandhi was alive today I would be faced with a tough, sharp opponent like none other… he could be a political adversary and a loyal, dedicated friend all at once, with no reservations or preconditions."
To Zeevi's family Olmert said "during the past few weeks we have created the public council for the memorialization of Rehavam Zeevi, so that his image will remain forever carved into the stones of Jerusalem, his place of birth.
Engraved in the land of Israel, his great love, engraved in our hearts always. May his memory be blessed."
