Gila Lixenberg of Kibbutz Lavi in the Galilee eulogized her brother Meir, a father of five who was murdered by terrorists this week on his way home to Itamar. Excerpts from her remarks:
\"Today we are burying my brother Meir. It hurts us to no end, we simply cannot absorb it... All of Am Yisrael [the Nation of Israel] is in pain, every home, every party, a word that doesn\'t belong here at all. Am Yisrael - we are strong, we are strong. Let us not become confused by the tears and the pain. We are here. We will hold on to this Land, to this belief, as much as we need, as much as we can. We are all acting to the best of our understanding as to what is G-d\'s will.
\"Mr. Sharon and heads of our state: Be strong, and go forward. Don\'t look at the other nations. They don\'t understand the essence of what Am Yisrael is. They are just waiting - yes, they are waiting for you to do what is right - justice, ethics, love of kindness - this is what is incumbent upon us, and incumbent upon you as the head of our state. Mr. Sharon, the nation is strong, don\'t be confused...
\"Mr. Sharon, draw from the strengths that we are all granting you, all of Am Yisrael - with the residents of Gush Katif and Yesha, who are \"more precious than gold,\" at the helm - they who are busy every single day, despite facing this terrible violence, with settling the Land, with Life in the Land of Israel. They have fears like every normal person, but with belief in the truth of their way, of our way.
\"Mr. Sharon, and all Jews everywhere, and especially those living in Zion - Continue! Build life, build communities, bring children into the world, many many children...\"
\"Meir, Abba and Ima always instilled in you and in us the values of love of people, love of land... faith in our way, the way of our forefathers. You always took pains to strengthen and encourage others... we will try to go in your footsteps as much as we can. You so much loved to study, to be next to holy people who are so very simple, but who are actually very great. Meir, you made it. You were worthy of it...\"
\"Today we are burying my brother Meir. It hurts us to no end, we simply cannot absorb it... All of Am Yisrael [the Nation of Israel] is in pain, every home, every party, a word that doesn\'t belong here at all. Am Yisrael - we are strong, we are strong. Let us not become confused by the tears and the pain. We are here. We will hold on to this Land, to this belief, as much as we need, as much as we can. We are all acting to the best of our understanding as to what is G-d\'s will.
\"Mr. Sharon and heads of our state: Be strong, and go forward. Don\'t look at the other nations. They don\'t understand the essence of what Am Yisrael is. They are just waiting - yes, they are waiting for you to do what is right - justice, ethics, love of kindness - this is what is incumbent upon us, and incumbent upon you as the head of our state. Mr. Sharon, the nation is strong, don\'t be confused...
\"Mr. Sharon, draw from the strengths that we are all granting you, all of Am Yisrael - with the residents of Gush Katif and Yesha, who are \"more precious than gold,\" at the helm - they who are busy every single day, despite facing this terrible violence, with settling the Land, with Life in the Land of Israel. They have fears like every normal person, but with belief in the truth of their way, of our way.
\"Mr. Sharon, and all Jews everywhere, and especially those living in Zion - Continue! Build life, build communities, bring children into the world, many many children...\"
\"Meir, Abba and Ima always instilled in you and in us the values of love of people, love of land... faith in our way, the way of our forefathers. You always took pains to strengthen and encourage others... we will try to go in your footsteps as much as we can. You so much loved to study, to be next to holy people who are so very simple, but who are actually very great. Meir, you made it. You were worthy of it...\"