Israel Mourns Those who Fell in Her Defence

8pm tonight marks the start of Yom HaZikaron, the Day of Remembrance. It is a time when Israel mourns the 22,123 servicemen and women who have fallen defending the Land of Israel. In the past year 138 soldeirs have fallen.

The next day Israelis and Zionist Jews all over the world celebrate what it was that these brave men and women died defending - the establishment of the State of Israel.

Comments

[Nili Scham]

It is a shame that we have to keep adding names every year to this lengthy list. Those who die for the state of Israel die for the right for Jews to live freely in the State of Israel. They are the ultimate sacrifice that we as a Jewish nation pay. Thoughout history we have constantly paid for our lifestyle and identity as Jews with murder, whether it was during pogroms, during the Holocaust or the fallen soldiers defending the land of Israel. Please G-d next year we won't have to mourn for another 138 soldiers and that the future governance of Israel will be able to ensure the safety of all Israelis.

[Nili Scham]

Thanks, as a matter of fact, I'm just plain South African [no ex:)]

[Steve]

Oops, deleted my comment - had to clean out some spam.

[Mike]

Nili, you make a great point. I really felt that the SAZF ceremony last night missed that. They gave their lives so we could be free.

[Steve]

It pains me to think that some Haredi folk wont commemorate either Yom Ha'atzmaut or Yom Hazikaron.

Why do Messianic beliefs stop some from realising and acknowledging the tremendous sacrifice that so many have made so that we may live freely in Israel?

[Jak]

Steve,

I agree with your point wholeheartedly. I do think (and hope) that it is only a minority that shows such blatant disregard for Yom Hazikaron.

Aside from that minority however, I think it's amazing how the whole country unites as one for this day in the calendar. One day a year all the political and religious barriers fall away as we unite to remember our fallen brothers.

Yehi Zichram Baruch!