Israeli leaders attended memorial ceremonies to mark the Hebrew anniversary of the October 7 terror attack last weekend.
Events took place for IDF fallen soldiers and civilian families.
Speaking at the memorial ceremony for soldiers, Herzog spoke of his three day journey earlier this month through communities and posts where atrocities took place on 10/7.
“It was a journey of unity and mourning, a journey of sorrow and memory and a journey of hope,” he said.
Herzog added: “All of Israel are responsible for one another. We see in this campaign, even in these very days, the overwhelming force of Israeli mutual responsibility in all its strength. The supreme task still lies ahead of us, to urgently bring back the hostages from the hands of the murderers.
“The elimination of the arch-terrorist Sinwar and other enemies, and the impressive fighting by the IDF and security forces, have created an opportunity that we must not miss. We must act with all our might to secure the return home of the hostages. Many of the fallen saw this as their supreme mission… Their rescue is a supreme and binding duty, without which we cannot be whole as a people and as a State.”
Herzog continued: “Recent days have again reminded us of the heavy and painful price of war. So many families have joined the circle of bereavement, stricken with grief and sorrow, the heart of the entire nation breaks again and again. But even when the campaign is tough and prolonged, one thing is clear, the only way to endure these difficult days is together, with a deep belief in the justness of our path.
“This pertains to our commitment to rebuild and restore to their homes all the displaced families and communities in peace and security. It pertains to our duty to stand by the physically and emotionally wounded. It pertains to the necessity of strengthening, backing and supporting the soldiers of the IDF, the police, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, and all security forces and their commanders in active duty and reserves, their families, and the members of the emergency and rescue organisations.”
Addressing family members, Herzog said he could not heal their shattered world but the State embraced them and asked for forgiveness for not protecting loved ones.
Recalling the victims, he noted: “About 900 innocent citizens have fallen in this cruel conflict, which began with the murderous assault by Hamas monsters who attacked us with barbaric cruelty… Hundreds of children were orphaned by hostilities. More than a hundred parents left with no children at all. Nearly two thousand citizens left without siblings.”
Herzog said Jews, Muslims, Druze and Christians, veterans and new immigrants, Israelis and citizens from other countries were slaughtered, wounded or abducted in cities, kibbutzim, villages, at music festivals, fields, bases and every corner of life.
Noting the terrible loss, Herzog spoke of heroism.
“Even in the depths of darkness, in the valley of death, in the long hours of terror, loved ones shone, glowed and illuminated,” he noted. “Heroes of all ages, without uniforms and often without weapons, stood before the enemies with supreme bravery and noble spirit, even in their final moments. We will never forget their bravery and sacrifice during this challenging campaign.”
Speaking about the hostages held in captivity, he said: “We have a window of opportunity that we must seize. The sanctity of life flowing through our veins as a nation and a state compels us urgently to fulfil the supreme human, moral, Jewish and Israeli duty, to bring them back, some to their homes, and some to a Jewish burial.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was heckled by grieving family members at the ceremony.
Footage shows Netanyahu at a podium delivering his address when shouts of “shame on you” and “my father was killed” can be heard from the audience. Netanyahu stopped his speech briefly. Protesters were escorted from the venue before he continued. Sunday’s event didn’t initially include family members. The program was revised to include a representative.