Ashkenazi with Peretz' mother
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Office
Peretz. Followed his borther's values
Photo: Elad Gershgoren
Ashkenazi places flag on Eliraz Peretz's grave
Chief of staff visits grave of fallen Golani battalion deputy commander, says 'he always stood in front and fell first in file'
Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi on Wednesday placed a flag on the grave of Major Eliraz Peretz who died in a shooting incident near the Gaza border fence last month.
In a ceremony held at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem Ashkenazi said, "This flag represents the Jewish people's aspiration for a national home, the hope to be free in our homeland and the heavy price we paid and continue to pay in order to realize our prayers."
Ashkenazi at Eliraz Peretz' grave (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Office)
The chief of staff noted that behind the small inscription on Peretz' grave "stands the image of a brave battalion deputy commander that always stood in the front and fell first in file." Ashkenazi added that Eliraz adopted his brother Uriel's values – "the values of Zionism, IDF service, friendship and faith, and was buried regretfully next to his brother's grave."
Ashkenazi also talked about Staff Staff Sergeant Ilan Sviatkovsky who was also killed in the same incident and said his story "was a living testimony to our soldiers' deep determination, devotion and moral strength that distinguishes them."
Ashkenazi thanked the bereaved families that attended the ceremony and added, "Protecting our country and keeping the IDF sharp and ready guarantees that we keep war away from our country and win it if we are forced to."
