Netanyahu and Rivlin
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
PM and president reaffirm commitment to returning captive Israelis back home
After the recent developments in the indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel for a prisoner exchange, PM Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin reaffirm at a ceremony marking the three-year anniversary of Operation Protective Edge that the Israeli government remains committed to bringing captive Israeli citizens and soldiers—whether alive or not—back to their families, calling it a 'moral and civic obligation.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during his speech at a ceremony marking the three-year anniversary of Operation Protective Edge that the Israeli government remains committed to bringing (Lt.) Hadar Goldin and (Sgt.) Oron Shaul—who are presumed dead after being taken captive in the operation—back home.
Netanyahu said this on the backdrop of recent indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel for a prisoner exchange deal.
Netanyahu (L) and Rivlin, at the ceremony (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
"The same applies to Abera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, Israeli civilians held in the Gaza Strip by a cruel enemy," clarified the PM, adding that "we are commanded to protect human life as much as possible, including the lives of soldiers, but there is no alternative—we must act for the benefit of the community and out of national responsibility."
"We continue to fortify our forces—both in defense and in attack capabilities—with the acquisition of interceptor missiles, advanced weapons and in many other ways," said Netanyahu. "We do not accept any violation of our sovereignty—not in the south, not in the north, not anywhere."
"Quiet will be answered with quiet, but whoever raises his hand on us will encounter a forceful response. Our enemies know this. Our enemies in the Gaza Strip know this even better," Netanyahu concluded.
L to R: Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul
President Reuven Rivlin echoed Netanyahu, saying: "This year, Herzl Shaul, Oron's father, passed away. Herzl asked me and I promised him that we would continue to work for the return of Oron and Hadar.
"Here in the Hall of Remembrance, we reiterate—the State of Israel will continue to fulfill its mission of returning Oron and Hadar home to be buried in Israel. It is our moral and civic obligation."
Abera Mengistu
"We are not complacent—on the contrary. We know that Operation Protective Edge will probably not be the last confrontation," said Rivlin in his speech. "We are fighting a cruel, extremist and murderous terrorist organization and we are prepared and ready to respond to every scenario and threat."
"In the operation, we fought for our home. It was a war for a peaceful routine, for everyday life. A moral and just campaign of a sovereign state that seeks to protect its citizens," added Rivlin. "The operation brought about quiet for the entire Gaza area. The three years since then have been the quietest three years on the southern front in the last decade."
