At Remembrance Day ceremony, Netanyahu says amid Middle East turmoil, "Israel is an island of freedom, democracy and progress."
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday spoke at the ceremony which opened the events of Remembrance Day at Giv'at HaTahmoshet in Jerusalem, saying to those who lost loved ones in the defense of the country, "as the son of a bereaved family, I understand very well the pain, the sense of loss and the sense of helplessness."
"We will never know what would have been, had our loved ones remained alive," the prime minister added.
Netanyahu also addressed the issue of kidnapped soldier Gilad Schalit, saying "a day does not pass in which we do not work to return home our prisoners of war and missing persons, including Gilad Schalit who is held in the hands of a cruel enemy. We are acting everyday to return them, including in unseen ways and we will not stop until they are back."
The prime minister also spoke of the turmoil in the Middle East, saying "in the last year an earthquake hit the Middle East. Fortresses crumbled and leaders fell and the shockwaves have not yet come to an end. As the days go by, one thing is becoming clear. Israel is an island of freedom, democracy and progress."
Earlier on Sunday at the weekly cabinet meeting Netanyahu spoke of the upcoming events to honor fallen soldiers.
"This evening, the nation will mark Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel's Wars. Almost 23,000 men and women have fallen in battle for the revival and security of the State of Israel. Approximately 2,500 additional Israelis have been murdered in terrorist actions. We and this state give thanks to them."
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