On November 20, 2018, tens of thousands of Israelis participated in a march honoring the IDF soldiers and victims of terror who have been wounded or disabled in Israel’s operations. The march, which took place at different locations throughout Israel, was a joint effort of Zehut, the IDF Disabled Veterans Association, the Ministry of Defense and KKL-JNF.“Marching and Saluting (Tzoadim VeMatzdi’im)” is the first event of three central events that mark the Fifth National Day of Appreciation for those Wounded in Israel’s Wars and in Terrorist Attacks, which takes place on November 11, 2018. On Thursday, November 22, Paralympic athletes, together with other Israeli athletes and rowers from the general public, marked the appreciation day by rowing across Lake Kinneret (Sea of
Galilee). On Sunday, November 25, disabled IDF veterans spoke to young people in schools all over Israel.
In Israel today, there are over 70,000 people wounded in wars or by acts of terror. Appreciation Day is an opportunity to thank them and to acknowledge the physical and mental burden they still bear in their bodies and souls from the battles they fought and from the
terrorist attacks that left them wounded and suffering.
About 4,000 marchers departed from two starting points in northern Israel to mark this day as part of the Marching and Saluting event organized by Zehut, the IDF Disabled Veterans Association, KKL-JNF and the Ministry of Defense.
The first starting point was in northern Israel at
Switzerland Forest by Lake Kinneret, where more than 1,200 marchers - including youth, pre-military academy students, members of the Israel Police and students - were led by five IDF disabled war veterans, who on the way related what had transpired for them during the battles in which they were wounded. At the Poriya youth hostel the marchers met
Zahava Shaul, the mother of abducted soldier Oron Shaul. At the very moving and special meeting with her, Zahava shared memories of her son Oron with the marchers and told them that she waits for his return every single day.
The second starting point was at the Ramat HaNadiv Gardens in Zichron Ya’akov, from where 3,000 people marched together with IDF disabled war veterans who shared their experiences in the battles in which they were wounded. At the concluding event at the
Shuni Jabotinsky Park amphitheater, a moving appreciation ceremony took place in the presence of
Haim Bar, Chairman of the IDF Disabled War Veterans Organization, Member of Knesset Leah Fadida, regional KKL-JNF representatives, Zehut organization representatives, and more.
On this day, marches also took place in the central region. About 2,000 participants, including high school students, soldiers, Israel Police force members, Education Ministry representatives and the general public, accompanied disabled war veterans on foot and by bike as they marched along the Seven to Ten Mills Trail in Ganei Yehoshua. They finished at the Seven Mills site at HaYarkon Park, where a moving ceremony took place in the presence of Deputy Defense Minister
Eli Ben Dahan and IDF Manpower Division Deputy Head Brigadier General
Sammy Holtzkin.
In southern Israel, hundreds of marchers gathered at Eshkol Park in the Gaza border region, and, together with disabled war veterans, went for a seven-kilometer walk along
Nahal HaBesor (The Besor Streambed). The march concluded at the offices of the Eshkol Regional Council, in the presence of Regional Council Mayor
Gadi Yarkoni. The fire trucks that are part of the continuous and daily battle to stop the fires caused by the incendiary kites and balloons launched from Gaza were also on hand for the concluding ceremony.
At different sites along the route of the march, the marchers met people who were injured and their families, who shared with them their trauma and personal loss, and how it still accompanies them each day. March participants heard stories about Israel’s legacy of battle, heroism and moments of humanity.
Zehut CEO
Yisrael Ben Pazi said: “We are very excited to be concluding the first day of events for National Day of Appreciation for those Wounded in Israel’s Wars and in Terrorist Attacks. The readiness of the general public to join the marches and to hear about and absorb the warriors’ fighting spirit while honoring the wounded, should not be taken for granted. This willingness gives us the strength to continue this project, the entire goal of which is to express our gratitude, salute our wounded and emphasize the value of contributing to society. Working together with KKL-JNF, along with walking through natural landscapes and some of the battle sites added a great deal to the day’s significance.”
Deputy Minister of Defense
Eli Ben Dahan said: “This day is the fruits of an initiative of a young Bnei Akiva youth group coordinator from Beersheba, who decided that the time had come for a special appreciation day for disabled IDF veterans and victims of terror. Consequently, the government of Israel decided to establish a national appreciation day for people wounded in Israel’s wars or by terrorist attacks - the people who sacrificed themselves for the security of the state and in defense of its citizens. There is talk about a drop in motivation among our youth for doing significant military service in the IDF. Today’s events are the real answer to that claim. By means of the connection to the disabled war veterans and the victims of terror, we know that it is in their merit that we are here to continue passing the torch from one generation to the next.”
KKL-JNF Education Division Director
Simon Elbaz said: “From the Poriya Ridge in the north to Nahal Gishron south of Eilat, marches are taking place along the entire length and breadth of Israel. The marchers visit battle heritage sites and hear the soldiers’ heroic stories, which strengthens the sense of unity that KKL-JNF is partner to. KKL-JNF assigns great importance to educational initiatives and events such as this appreciation day. I want to thank all our partners at KKL-JNF who helped to organize this very meaningful day.”
Itai, a tenth-grader from Beit HaChinuch Carmel Zevulun, said that this was the first time that he had “heard an IDF disabled war veteran tell his personal story and the story of the battle he was wounded in. I think that organizing an event like this every year is very important in order to increase public awareness of this subject.”
Shirel, a ninth-grader from the Tzviya Ulpana in Herzliya, said: “This day really gave me a lot, because only now have I realized that we can’t take it for granted that our lives here are so calm and peaceful. It taught me that we didn’t get our lives on a silver platter, and that there are people who went through very difficult things so that we could live as we do.’
At the ceremony in Shuni, Zahal Disabled Veterans Association chairman
Haim Bar said that “the state of Israel can very proud of what is happening here today. We are here in order to say thank you to all those who fought out of love for our people and our land, those who believed in the values of brotherhood, mutual assistance, giving and love. Today they are receiving back from us what they rightfully deserve – honor and appreciation – and they truly deserve them.”