After the Knesset enacted the Honorary Citizenship Law for fallen soldiers of Israel's wars, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel decided to award for the first time an honorary citizenship certificate to the family of fallen IDF soldiers, Valentin Eli Gansia, who sacrificed his life and fell in battle for the State of Israel even though he had not yet completed the process of immigrating to Israel.
Eli Valentin Gansia immigrated from France, joined the army as a lone soldier and fell in battle to cleanse Kibbutz Be'eri on Simchat Torah before he could fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming an Israeli citizen.
The ceremony was attended by Eyal Siso, Director General of the Population Authority, Chairman of the Education Committee MK Yossi Taib, and Eli's family.
Interior Minister Arbel: "Our commitment as a state, to remember and honor the heroes who gave their lives for the State of Israel, is expressed in the law granting honorary citizenship to fallen IDF soldiers who have not yet completed the aliyah process and fell in defense of the homeland. The Government of Israel bows its head in honor and memory of Valentin Eli Gansia and embraces the family on this day with the awarding of the Israeli identity card to the Hero of Israel. The people of Israel are alive!"
Honorary citizenship ceremony for fallen IDF soldiers, Eli Valentin Gancia,
Eyal's mother, Genevieve, said: "I had no doubt that he would immigrate to Israel. I always knew that in Israel he would be happy because in France he wasn't. He dreamed of immigrating to Israel, it was his place. His room had an Israeli flag since he was 7 years old, he initially toured Israel with Birthright and really liked it. This evening is a great consolation and pride for my son and the State of Israel. I'm also proud of myself for going all the way for him, for his dream to come true. I am grateful for this and in general thank the people of Israel for showing mutual responsibility and each one brings and contributes his own layer. In my city in the south of France, I feel lonely and here I have a big support network."
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