Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday participated in the traditional reading of the Book of Esther at the Shemesh U’Magen synagogue in the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem, where the family of murdered hostage Ori Danino prays.
Seated alongside the president were Ori’s father and brother.
Master Sgt. Ori Danino, 25, was abducted by Hamas terrorists from the Supernova music festival during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, and murdered in captivity. He is credited with having saved the lives of many revelers during the Gazan terrorist invasion.
“We are here to honor and commemorate Ori Danino, to pay tribute to his family, and, through his story, to cry out and pray for the return of all the hostages home, with God’s help,” said Herzog on Thursday.
“Former hostage Omer Shem-Tov and others spoke about Ori Danino, describing how, in the midst of the horrific disaster, from the tunnels in Gaza, from the valley of the shadow of death in Gaza, Ori was like an angel amidst the chaos,” he continued.
“I believe this speaks volumes about Ori—he fought and returned again and again to save his brothers. When—in the story of Purim—Mordechai says to Queen Esther, ‘And who knows whether it was for a time like this that you became royalty?’—this is a call for heroism, a call to take responsibility. Ori took responsibility with supreme bravery, throughout his time in Gaza and before that as a soldier in the IDF. He was a great leader, ultimately murdered by evil men,” said Herzog.
Danino was one of six hostages, along with Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Almog Sarusi, 25, Alexander Lobanov, 32, and Carmel Gat, 40, whose bodies were recovered by Israeli forces from a tunnel in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Sept. 1.
At the synagogue, Herzog invoked the words of Esther, “Go, assemble,” which he said was a rallying call to stop infighting and instead unite to defeat our enemies, who seek our destruction.
“I wish that we will all only enjoy good news, salvation and comfort. May God grant healing to the wounded, both in body and soul. We send our blessings and support to IDF soldiers wherever they may be. Of course, we embrace the bereaved families and pray to see the hostages return home as soon as possible with God’s help—some to be laid to rest in dignity, and others for recovery and rehabilitation,” concluded the president.