IDF chief hails 'powerful' army as Israel mourns fallen soldiers
Speaking at the official Memorial Day ceremony at the Western Wall, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot warns that Israel's enemies seek to entrench forces on country's borders, but assures listeners 'our soldiers stand firm on the frontline' and hold 'unprecedented capabilities.'
“Against every threat, our soldiers stand firm on the frontline and together with technology, prove that there on the fortress around the country there is a powerful army, an army that holds unprecedented capabilities and for a reality of security and prosperity,” Eisenkot said at the ceremony held at the Western Wall, honoring Israel’s thousands of fallen soldiers and victims of terror.
Prior to his remarks, Israel observed a one-minute silence to honor those who had fallen in the line of duty.
The Kotel ceremony subsequently began with the lighting of a memorial candle, followed by a speech delivered by President Reuven Rivlin.
Eisenkot’s comments on Israel’s strength came as part of an apparent warning to Iran as the army was placed on high alert in anticipation of a possible retaliation from Tehran for the IDF’s strike last week on the Tiyas Military Airbase in Syria's Homs
A senior IDF official confirmed to the New York Times in an article published Monday that the strike was intended to hit Iranian installations and personnel.
Common values of love of the homeland, Eisenkot continued, mutual friendship and camaraderie prevail over every division within the country.
“Even in the most difficult times, the IDF remains a strong pillar that draws its strength from all those who serve in it, from the city, the village and the kibbutz, secular and religious, Bedouin, Druze and Jews,” the IDF chief of staff said.
“The unity and cohesion are the things that have stood by us in our most difficult hours, and have served as our weapon that have enabled us to continue and stand firm," he continued.
Eisenkot went on to share his own loss of friends throughout his fours decades in uniform.
“In my 40 years in the IDF, I was privileged to get to know the character of the Israeli fighter up close. Unfortunately, I was separated from wonderful people who were my comrades in arms, and from many of the best sons and daughters of the land,” he told the participants at the ceremony.
As Israel prepares to celebrate its 70th Independence Day between Wednesday evening and throughout Thursday, Eisenkot said that “we will remember our joint mission to strengthen the security of the State of Israel and we will preserve in our hearts the pain that brought about life.”
Concluding his remarks, Eisenkot said that “we must all unite in prayer” for the years ahead, before reciting the Jewish prayer of mourning.