Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended this evening (Tuesday) a ceremony dedicating a Torah scroll in memory of Maj. (res.) Dr. Moshe Yedidyah Leiter, the son of Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter. Dr. Leiter, a platoon commander in the IDF’s elite Shaldag unit, fell in battle in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu wrote a letter in the Torah scroll in memory of Dr. Leiter.
Prime Minister stated: “To the dear Leiter family, to the many friends gathered here today, This is a deeply emotional moment. I remember visiting you during the shiva-heart-wrenching days. When I learned of Moshe’s fall, it shook me to the depths of my soul. He was a symbol and model of the Israeli, the Jew, who fights for our existence and sacrifices his life for the eternity of Israel. He also worked tirelessly through the ‘Kudkod’ program so that all of us would join this sacred mission."
"I saw the strength of spirit in the family-his mother, his father, his siblings. And in you, Yechiel, now carrying the burden of representing Israel on the most important stage among the nations, where you present the justice of our cause, our right to Israel, our heritage, and our faith in our victory.
"In the past two years, we have done much to fortify our existence in this land. We prepared for Iran’s 360-degree terror axis, and there is still more ahead of us-much more is required. Today, we experienced yet another Palestinian terror attack, and we are determined to complete the war on all fronts, including dismantling Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip to ensure that Gaza never again poses a greater threat.
"But it seems to me that our greatest victory, the one that surprised the whole world, is the victory of spirit. This spirit is powerfully embodied in the story of Moshe Leiter’s sacrifice and courage-may his memory be a blessing-who serves as an example for all of Israel, and I can tell you, for many of Israel’s friends around the world as well.
"It is a tremendous privilege to be here for the dedication of a Torah scroll in his name, and I wish to bless each and every one of you who is engaged in this sacred work of remembrance and continuation. May you all be blessed,” Netanyahu concluded.