On Friday, Gal Meir Eisenkot, son of former IDF minister and chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, who was killed in battle in the Gaza Strip, was laid to rest. During the funeral ceremony held at the Herzliya military cemetery, his father eulogized him.
"Gal, our son, my mother and I are standing here with a large crowd to pay their last respects. You were born when I served as a Golani brigade commander. I was in a hurry from the Golan Heights but arrived late. On the family trip we took to Portugal, you told me that you missed you very much for many years. I told you that I was sure Mom was for you all the time and I was proud to see your deep connection with Mom and siblings."
Gadi Eizenkot with his son Gal (archive), photo: IDF Spokesperson
"I admired your seriousness alongside your sense of humor. Excellence was your way of life, in school, in scouting, in triathlon. We named you Gal Meir after my father, and when they asked you your name, you would say Gal Meir, and only during basic training did they hear your full name."
Accompanying Gal Meir Eizenkot on his last journey, Photo: Lilach Shoval
"On October 7, I called you up to the division and you served in the reserves until you fell with your friend Eyal Berkowitz, z"l. You were happy to hear that the offensive activity in which you participated contributed to the release of the hostages, and you especially related to the children. We looked at your special connection to the nephews who magnetized you at every encounter. You said that you and your friends feel that this is a just war, that all the hostages must be returned and Hamas must be defeated."
"I am sure that we will continue the campaign and the effort for a country that will be as strong and developed as you wanted when you used to criticize everything you did not like in this country. I promise we will be worthy of it, salute you, beloved son. I promise that we will do everything for those who sacrificed, your comrades in arms and the entire Israeli people who embrace us at this difficult time."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us