(Ynet).A two-minute siren sounded across Israel at 11 am Monday in memory of 22,684 fallen soldiers and terror attack victims killed since 1860. It was followed by state ceremonies at 43 military cemeteries and near the monument for the Bedouin soldiers at Hamovil Junction in northern Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish attended the main ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
The prime minister said in his speech that shortly after joining the elite Sayeret Matkal, two of his brothers in arms – Zohar Linik and David Ben-Hamo – died during preparations for an operation.
"I accompanied them to the evacuation vehicle which drove us to the Tel Hashomer hospital. I sat in the back seat and held on to David with all my might. He died in my arms before we reached the hospital. Zohar died shortly afterwards. I will never forget those moments. The two of them, Zohar and David, remained forever 19," Netanyahu said.
"Our loss is unbearable," the prime minister added. "Our comfort is continuing our loved ones' way and fulfilling their dreams. We are a peace-seeking people who pray for peace. Our one hand is extended in peace to all our neighbors who seek peace, and our other hand holds on to the sword of David in order to defend our people against those seeking to harm us."
Netanyahu also spoke of the way his family dealt with the death of his brother, Yonatan, who was killed in action during Operation Entebbe. "Each family has its own way to deal with the loss," he said. "I remember that I once saw my mother, Tzila, sitting on an armchair in my parents' living room and gazing at the horizon, when a smile suddenly appeared on her face. I asked her, 'Mother, what are you thinking about?' 'I am thinking about Yoni, my Yona'le,' she said, and added, 'I have only good memories.'"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish attended the main ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
The prime minister said in his speech that shortly after joining the elite Sayeret Matkal, two of his brothers in arms – Zohar Linik and David Ben-Hamo – died during preparations for an operation.
"I accompanied them to the evacuation vehicle which drove us to the Tel Hashomer hospital. I sat in the back seat and held on to David with all my might. He died in my arms before we reached the hospital. Zohar died shortly afterwards. I will never forget those moments. The two of them, Zohar and David, remained forever 19," Netanyahu said.
"Our loss is unbearable," the prime minister added. "Our comfort is continuing our loved ones' way and fulfilling their dreams. We are a peace-seeking people who pray for peace. Our one hand is extended in peace to all our neighbors who seek peace, and our other hand holds on to the sword of David in order to defend our people against those seeking to harm us."
Netanyahu also spoke of the way his family dealt with the death of his brother, Yonatan, who was killed in action during Operation Entebbe. "Each family has its own way to deal with the loss," he said. "I remember that I once saw my mother, Tzila, sitting on an armchair in my parents' living room and gazing at the horizon, when a smile suddenly appeared on her face. I asked her, 'Mother, what are you thinking about?' 'I am thinking about Yoni, my Yona'le,' she said, and added, 'I have only good memories.'"