The proximity between Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism and the celebrations of Independence Day reminds us all that freedom is not handed out for free, but rather bought by blood, fire and pillars of smoke. Avraham "Yair" Stern, who founded the pre-state Lehi paramilitary organization and was killed by the British in 1942, wrote in a poem: "I know a day or night will come when I will fall alone, dying on the battlefield … but the death on the battlefield will be sweetened … when my eyes see the torches of victory."
In the moving commemoration ceremony on Mount Herzl, small flames ignite the bright torches. This passage embodies Jewish history over thousands of years: from enslavement to redemption, from our homeland to dispersion in the Diaspora, from desolation to rebirth.
The Jewish people arose from the horrors of the Holocaust, just like the prophet Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones. Ezekiel dreams the bones come together, gaining sinew and flesh until they form resurrected humans and start walking. This foretold the founding of the state and the ingathering of the exiles, now in its 70th year. We can take pride and joy from the profound understanding that from a small state, encircled by enemies and forced to contend on the battlefields, city streets and country roads, we have become a strong and secure power. An object of jealousy, wonder and imitation for old and large nations.
Today when I visit the military cemetery where my friends from the 188 and 500 brigades who died in the Yom Kippur War are buried, I will lift my head and tell them their sacrifice was not in vain. Thanks to their self-sacrifice and their love for our homeland, we have a strong state and no one can threaten our people without receiving a fitting reaction. Their supreme sacrifice allows us to come face-to-face with the realization of the Zionist vision in the spirit of Israel's prophets.
The vast majority of Israelis are joyful and thankful for their personal well-being and security. Democracy is strong, the land is fruitful, Jerusalem is eternally united, the economy is flourishing, unemployment is low, Israeli technology is changing the world, ties with Arab countries are growing closer, the center and periphery are quickly coming closer together, and there is more. I have no doubt that the day will soon come when even American Jews will immigrate to Israel, understanding that their future is only found in Israel.
The attempt to present Israeli society as fragmented and split is ridiculous. Israelis love their country, most are connected to Jewish tradition, value the settling pioneers and take pride in the Israel Defense Forces. The marginal few who do not are not enough to divide us.
I am not one of those who look back with nostalgia. That is what Lot's wife did, and she turned into a pillar of salt. I look to the future instead and see good days of unity, virtue, care for society's weak, realization of dreams, continued ingathering of the exiles and prosperity.
So light the lights and sing in the squares. Happy Independence Day to our Israel!
