Netanyahu lauds Independence Day torch lighters
In a meeting held to congratulate the torch lighters chosen for next Monday's Independence Day ceremony, which will commemorate 50 years since Jerusalem's reunification, PM says that 'it is very important that the citizens of Israel, and also people abroad, hear your stories, as they are part of the wondrous story of our beloved country.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara met on Wednesday with the torch lighters chosen for Israel's 69th Independence Day taking place on May 2 in Mount Herzl.
Also attending the meeting with what was an amalgamation of Israeli professionals of different fields, religious leaders, sportmen, IDF soldiers, members of IDF bereaved families, entrepaeneurs, Holocasut survivors and more The meeting was also attended by Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev.
The Prime Minister told the torch lighters that "it is very important that the citizens of Israel, and also people abroad, hear your stories, as they are part of the wondrous story of our beloved country."
He added that the torch lighters gave hope not only to Israeli people, but to all of humanity. "We look around and see what's going on (in the world). Countries are collapsing and terrible things are occurring. Yet here in this great nation wonderful things are happening thanks to our humane and creative spirit," Netanyahu proudly told them.
"I want to congratulate you, and tell you—we are blessed. We are blessed to have you, and I believe that you will honor Israel by lighting those torches."
This year's torch lighting ceremony will commemorate 50 years since Jerusalem's reunification, when it was captured during Israel's June 1967 Six-Day War.
14 torch lighters are set to participate in next Monday's ceremony, two of whom are the first non-Israeli citizens to light a torch—Taglit-Birthright Israel co-founder Michael Steinhardt and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Rabbi Marvin Hier.
The other 12 torch lighters
Author and civil servant Eli Amir (who was absent from the meeting).
Prof. Ahmed Eid, head of the general surgery department at Hadassah-University Medical Center on Jerusalem’s Mount Scopus.
Eli Mizrachi, Chairman of Jerusalem’s Mahaneh Yehuda market’s board of directors.
Amnon Shashua, co-founder of theMobileye and OrCam start-ups.
Dina Samta, a volunteer at Jerusalem’s Jewish Institute for the Blind.
Rabbanit Chana Henkin, founder and dean of the Jerusalem-based Jeanie Schottenstein Center For Advanced Torah Study For Women and the mother of Eitam Henkin, who was killed together with his wife Na’ama Henkin, in a terrorist attack near the Itamar settlement in 2015.
Yaakov (Yaki) Hetz, who received the IDF Medal of Courage for his role in the Battle of Ammunition Hill in the Six Day War.
Miri Ehrental, founder and executive director of the Zichron Menachem association for children with cancer.
Uri Malmilian, former soccer player and current manager.
Yehoram Gaon, Jerusalem-born singer and actor.
Eli Mizrahi, founder and owner of Caffe Mizrahi in Mahane Yehuda, Jerusalem.
First Lt. Dean Argil and Maj. Yerus Yerusalem Shigout will share the honor and light a torch on behalf of the IDF.
(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
