On April 29, 2025, Israelis paused in solemn silence as sirens marked the beginning of Memorial Day, honoring fallen soldiers and victims of terror. This year’s ceremonies held deeper resonance as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the ongoing war in Gaza.
At the Western Wall, President Isaac Herzog urged national unity, calling for peace both within and beyond Israel’s borders. Addressing the 59 hostages still held in Gaza, he vowed relentless efforts to bring them home, while paying tribute to bereaved families who have endured unimaginable losses. “We are not a people who seek war,” Herzog declared. “Our yearning is peace.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reinforced the army’s commitment to defeating Hamas and returning the hostages, calling it a “sacred mission.” He emphasized the need for national unity, urging all sectors—including the ultra-Orthodox—to share in the burden of defense.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed similar sentiments at the Yad Labanim memorial, though he faced public criticism from grieving families. “We all have one country, one fate,” he said, reaffirming the government’s resolve to secure the return of hostages.
Memorial events across the country included tributes to Haredi soldiers and a joint Israeli-Palestinian ceremony in Jaffa. Survivors and peace advocates, like Liat Atzili and Musa Khatawi, called for coexistence and an end to the cycle of violence.
In mourning, unity, and defiance, Israel marked Memorial Day with a shared call to honor the fallen, defend the nation, and seek a future shaped by peace and dignity.
