by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Israel entered one of its most solemn national observances Monday evening as sirens sounded across the country, marking the beginning of Memorial Day with a unified moment of silence to honor fallen soldiers and victims of terror.
At the central ceremony held at the Western Wall, Isaac Herzog and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir called for national unity and renewed commitment to the country’s security amid ongoing regional conflict.
“The history of our people teaches, again and again: When voices silence one another, the danger grows. When voices sing together, the nation rises,” Herzog declared, emphasizing the importance of cohesion during a time of war.
The ceremony opened with the lighting of a memorial flame following the nationwide siren, as Israelis paused to remember the 25,648 men and women who have died in defense of the nation since 1860, according to the Defense Ministry.
War Still Ongoing
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that Israel’s military campaign is not yet complete, particularly regarding Iran.
“We have not yet finished the work,” Netanyahu said, while praising Israel’s battlefield achievements across Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond.
He emphasized that Israel’s actions are not only defensive but also serve a broader purpose: “to defend humanity from barbaric fanaticism.”
Voices of the Bereaved
At a ceremony hosted by Yad Labanim in Jerusalem, grieving families shared deeply personal testimonies of loss and sacrifice.
Yafit Goshen, whose son Oriya was killed during a rescue mission in Gaza, spoke of the painful reality faced by many Israeli families since the October 7, 2023 attacks.
“Bereavement has gone from being a remote concept to a daily reality that burns my heart,” she said. “Our responsibility as a society is to be worthy of their sacrifice. We must have unity in our nation.”
Netanyahu, reflecting on the loss of his own brother during the 1976 Entebbe rescue mission, spoke of enduring grief shared by bereaved families across generations.
“The longing is present every single day,” he said. “The eyes long to see the smile. The ears long to hear the voice.”
Remembering Amid Continued Conflict
This year’s Memorial Day marks the third since the Hamas-led October 7 attack that ignited a prolonged and multi-front conflict involving Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Herzog acknowledged the heavy toll of ongoing fighting, noting that new names have been added to the list of the fallen even in recent days.
“War is a national test,” he said. “And as a nation, we are meeting it with extraordinary strength… through all the unbearable pain.”
Yet even amid mourning, Herzog pointed toward hope beyond the war.
“We do not live by our sword, but alongside it,” he said. “The spirit must always be mighty… a spirit that yearns for peace, for freedom, and for dignity.”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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