Hundreds of thousands of Jews from 60 countries around the world took part tonight (Tuesday) in the International Day of Remembrance for the Martyrs of the Israeli Civil War and the Victims of Hostilities from the Diaspora, which organizes a campaign every year, founded by the Jewish Agency and the Israeli government.
At the center of the ceremony was the story of lone soldiers, new immigrants, civilians and tourists, who came to Israel from all over the world and fell while serving in the IDF or were killed in hostilities.
This is the largest ceremony in Israel held in the English language, adapted for Diaspora Jewry and the new immigrant communities in the country.
The ceremony, which took place in English and was translated into Hebrew, French and Russian and was broadcast live to hundreds of thousands of Jews around the world, including travel graduates and residents of Jewish communities in Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, Morocco, Turkey, South Africa, USA, Canada, Britain, Australia, New- Zealand, Brazil, Argentina and other countries In addition, thousands of travel graduates and members of the Jewish communities around the world gathered to watch the ceremony in dozens of centers around the globe.
About 5,000 participants in travel programs in Israel attended the ceremony, which took place at the Yad LaShiryon site in Latrun, in the presence of Diaspora Minister Nachman Shai, Acting Chairman of the Jewish Agency Yaakov Hagoel, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Yevgeny Soba, MK D. Yuval Steinitz, Prime Minister Shalom Shlomo, Director General of Masa Ofer Gutman, representatives of the IDF, bereaved families and senior members of international Jewish organizations, including Keren Hayesod Chairman Sam Grundwar and Becky Caspi, Senior Vice President and CEO of JFNA Israel.
Thousands in the memorial service, hundreds of thousands in the virtual broadcast, Photo: Masa organization
This year, the story is told of the late Eli Kay, who immigrated to Israel from South Africa and was killed in a terrorist attack in the Old City on his way to work at the Western Wall;
The late Jordan Ben Simon of the Walnut Unit who immigrated from France and fell in the battle of Sajia in Operation Eitan;
The late brothers Barak and Amichai Itakis, who immigrated to Israel from Mexico and fell in operational activity;
The late Dan Ozen from Denmark who was killed in a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Copenhagen in 2015 and other fallen.
The torch of remembrance on behalf of the bereaved families was lit by a representative of the families, the brother of the late Eli Kay, Sergeant Hanan Kay, who serves as a fighter in the River Brigade.
During the ceremony, videos were shown about those who fell in the Israeli systems and hostilities, with an emphasis, as mentioned, on lone soldiers and young people from Diaspora Jewry.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in a message to those present: "Tonight we remember the courage, heroism and sacrifice of the fallen. Each of them has a name and a story, which must be told. Together we carry their memory and send strength and strength to the brave families whose lives were cut short. Among the fallen were immigrants, who chose to leave their homes to protect the homes of others, to protect the State of Israel. Their memory is a reminder of how lucky we are to have the State of Israel, a home we should never take for granted. We remember them all and salute them ".
Diaspora Minister Nachman Shai: "Tonight, we must remember and sanctify the immense sacrifice of all those who gave their lives for us, in striving to realize the vision in whose name they sacrificed their lives on the land of this land: the prosperity and independence of the Jewish people in the Jewish people."
Yaakov Hagoel, Chairman of the World Zionist Organization and Acting Chairman of the Jewish Agency:
Those who are no longer with us and those who are.
Everyone is standing with us here today.
And this evening, we unite and unite to remember them and their heroism, salute them and say thank you. "
The director general of Masa, Ofer Gutman, said: "This is the largest ceremony in Israel, which is a unique bridge between the State of Israel and the young people of Diaspora Jewry.
Together they meet the story of our best sons and daughters who fell prematurely for our existence.
On the most Israeli day of the year, we give the participants of a journey staying in Israel the opportunity to be eternal partners in the chain of generations and in the Zionist enterprise, while experiencing a powerful status in the life of every Israeli like Memorial Day. "
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