WIZO held an event Tuesday morning to honor and commemorate the six fallen members of the Druze community in Dalit al-Carmel, in an iron sword war. The event took place at the WIZO branch in the city in memory of Lt. Col. Alim Saad, Lt. Col. Salman Habeka, Sergeant Goad Ammar, Staff Sergeant Daniel Rashid, Staff Sergeant Adi Malev and Major Gamal Abbas, and was attended by representatives of the families of the fallen, representatives from the global and Israeli WIZO movement, and more.
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy at the "For the Boys" race in memory of the Druze fighters who fell in Israel's battles //IDF Spokesperson
"Since the establishment of the state, we have found loyal partners – the Druze community in Israel, with whom we have made an alliance. An alliance of life, of the sanctity of life, of different peoples who create for themselves one story, which meets at many junctions and places," said Anita Friedman, WIZO Chairperson. "The terrible sacrifice we pay on the battlefield is not in vain. The death of the heroes is what makes the lives of all citizens possible."
"The Druze community in Israel lost many of its best sons and officers in this war." Rada Kamel, WIZO Dalit al-Carmel branch chairwoman, said: "The Druze community in Israel lost many of its best sons and officers in this war. Heroes who sacrificed their lives for the security and prosperity of the State of Israel, their homeland and their beloved country. These heroes who were educated on the values of love of the land and the country, love of humanity and the values of the covenant of life and blood between the Druze community and the State of Israel and the Jewish people."
Memorial event in memory of the fallen Druze community, photo: WIZO Spokesperson's Office
Erin Habka, widow of Lt. Col. Salman Habeka, also spoke at the ceremony. "How will we remember you? Whether as your image as a battalion commander, the leader and officer who was always the first to the flag, whether as a devoted and caring father for our little boy, whether to remember you as my husband who instilled in me a joy of life. Through your actions and your way of life, you achieved the goal and the State of Israel was exposed to the hero in you."
Alim Saad's widow, Mona Saad, also spoke in his memory and told of a modest and courageous man who treated everyone equally, in private life and during his military service. "He wanted to promote women through sports as a way to a healthy lifestyle and before his death he managed to open a studio and gym for girls and women, but unfortunately fate ended his dream. My beloved Ali, I promise to continue on your path and fulfill your dream."
Memorial event in memory of the fallen Druze community, photo: WIZO Spokesperson's Office
Col. Res. Anan Abbas, Maj. Jamal Abbas' father, said, "In our conversation before he entered the war, he told me how important it is for him to fight for the country, and to restore honor, he knew that he might die and also told me that if he dies we should be proud of him - I have no problem dying. He said, if I die it will be pride because it is a war for the existence of the State of Israel. We are always strong, the strength in our unity. We are an inseparable part of the state and we must be united together. We are one people together."
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