ThE Remembrance day for the Holocaust: president Herzog calls for unity and hope

The state opening rally to commemorate the Day of Remembrance for the Holocaust and Heroism commenced at the "Warsaw Ghetto Square" within "Yad Vashem" in Jerusalem. The event, attended by President Yitzhak Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Holocaust survivors, and their families, paid tribute to the six million lives lost during the Holocaust. Notably, among the dignitaries' chairs, a solitary yellow chair symbolized the abducted individuals still held captive by Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel's unwavering commitment to self-defense and the safe return of abducted individuals in the aftermath of the terrorist organization Hamas's massacre in surrounding settlements.

A Nation at War:
President Yitzhak Herzog, in his address, declared the solemnity of the occasion, marking the beginning of Israel's "terrible days" leading to its 76th Independence Day. He emphasized that the nation finds itself in a state of war, reflecting on the tragic events of October 7, perpetrated by Hamas.

Tribute to Survivors:
President Herzog recounted poignant moments, including the encounter between Holocaust survivor Eliakim Hollander and his grandson, Uri Hollander, serving in the IDF. Additionally, he honored the memory of Naftali First, a survivor of Buchenwald concentration camp, and his granddaughter Mika, who experienced the horrors of Hamas's attack.

Rejecting Parallels:
President Herzog clarified that while the atrocities inflicted by Hamas resonate with the horrors of the Holocaust, they do not equate to it. He underscored Israel's resilience, bolstered by its statehood and defense forces, as it continues to defend its national home.

Call for Unity and Hope:
The president urged collective commitment to rebuilding on three foundational principles: self-defense, partnership and unity, and faith and hope, emphasizing the resolve to overcome the challenges faced by the nation.

This solemn occasion serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of the past and the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of adversity.