Defense Minister Ehud Barak spoke Wednesday at a memorial ceremony in Kiryat Shaul. Addressing relatives of fallen soldiers, he said, “The people of Israel bows its head today and remembers its brave sons, and embraces you. And above all, remembers the unlimited debt that we owe you, the bereaved families, and our responsibility to commemorate the fallen.”
Soon Israel will begin to celebrate Independence Day, Barak continued. “This year, too, we have yet to reach true rest. Some of our enemies, near and far, still have not accepted the fact of our existence here.” The state of Israel “stands stronger than ever” in the face of danger, he added.