Bereaved families, soldiers mark 13 years to helicopter disaster
During memorial service for 73 fallen soldiers, chief of staff gives hope, issues warning: 'Israel is as strong, deterring as ever. We want peace but are ready for any challenge we might face'
Thirteen years have passed since two Israel Defense F helicopters collided in the skies of the upper Galilee and claimed the lives of 73 combat soldiers.
This year, as like every year, bereaved family members and security establishment seniors, including Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Defense Minister Ehud Barak arrived Wednesday for the annual memorial service that was held near the monument at the scene of the crash.
Despite conciliatory statements made toward Syria in the past two weeks, Barak and Ashkenazi both commented on the security situation at the northern border of Israel and sent an intimidating message to those who try to violate the peace.
"Israel is as strong and deterring as ever. We want peace but are following the situation at the border; we are ready for any challenge we might face," Barak said during the ceremony.
Barak added that "The state of Israel has paid in blood for its security; we are constantly accompanied by the memory and legacy of our fallen soldiers.
"Since the IDF withdrew from Lebanon, when I was Prime Minister, we have known peace, which was followed by war. Since then, peace has returned; the north is turning green and blossoming at every corner. We see that as a type of comfort," he said.
Barak also commented on the series of recent accident in the IDF and said that "we have a lot of power and the best weaponry in the world, but the awful helicopter accident is proof that human lives are above all else.
Barak with bereaved family members (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
"IDF makes a daily effort to prevent accidents at bases, at the line of fire and during training and operational activities – because we believe that whoever saves one soul – saves a whole world."
Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi also took the opportunity to send a message to Israel's neighbors.
"Our conscience is what brings us back to this place every year, and what reminds us to preserve the values for which these fallen soldiers fought – to preserve the prevailing peace at the northern border, and to respond firmly and uncompromisingly toward anyone who tries to violate the peace.
"This is part of the road we are paving for the sake of Israel's security," Ashkenazi said.
Among the high-ranking officials who attended the ceremony were Major General Benny Gantz and Major General Gadi Eizenkot, the Head of the Northern Command Staff.
'13 years later – there is hope'
During the ceremony, Shuli-Mualam Refael, the widow of Moshe Mualam who was killed in the accident spoke on behalf of the bereaved families.
Mualam, who has since remarried, said: "13 years later, I feel as if we live on so many different layers. One layer is of a meaningful life – a life of hope.
"We make a daily choice to live and give content and meaning to our lives. We chose to grow from the blackness of your deaths; we decided to go forward and upward," she said.
Mualam-Refael also referred to the issue of getting the bereaved parents' permission before drafting their children into combat units and said, "This year, Nir my joined the military. He is an infantry soldier.
"Because I did not give birth to him no one asked me if I am willing to let him serve in combat. No one asked me what it feels like to be a soldier's mother."
After the ceremony concluded, the chief of staff and defense minister spoke with the bereaved families and promised to continue commemorating the lives of Israel's fallen soldiers.
