Israel’s enemies erred in thinking the country’s home front was vulnerable; instead, it is the Jewish nation’s “source of strength,” Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Wednesday.
“Israel has once again proven that its resilience is not only military, it is societal. Our enemies were mistaken in thinking that Israel’s home front is our weak point; they failed to understand that it is, in fact, our source of strength,” said Zamir.
“We have learned that in a prolonged, multi-arena war, the civilian home front and the productive capacity of the Israeli economy are of paramount importance,” he continued. “One of the most significant lessons is not only that ‘we must defend ourselves by ourselves,’ but also that, as ‘a people that dwells alone,’ we must ‘produce for ourselves by ourselves’ and be less dependent on others.”
Zamir spoke during an event marking 20 years of the Adopt a Soldier initiative, a program that connects Israeli and international companies and private donors with IDF combat units.
“The entire nation is a partner in the effort to strengthen IDF units and places the well-being of soldiers and all service members as a top priority. That is how it should be. Those who give, defend and are prepared to sacrifice themselves receive more, including better conditions for quality service and the conditions to succeed even after their discharge,” said Zamir.
“As we light the [Chanukah] candles this evening, our hearts beat also for our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, especially the Jewish community in Sydney. You are blessed for your work during one of the most complex periods in Israel’s history, and for the sake of better days to come,” he added.
Zamir concluded by stressing that Israel will not relent in its “moral duty” to bring home Israel Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last hostage held by Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
