At terror victims memorial, Herzog says let us ‘cast off our arguments, wrap ourselves in pain’

President Isaac Herzog commemorates those killed in terror attacks, speaking at the annual state ceremony for victims of terror at Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem.

Herzog repeats his appeal to “cast off our arguments, remove the barriers, wrap ourselves in pain and longing, and commune with the memory of your loved ones — our loved ones.”

The president pays tribute to the “pure and unblemished, innocent of any crime, who were on their way to an outing or to school, to a family meeting or a wedding. Who were praying in a synagogue or were just leaving it; who were out with friends… babies, children, the elderly, women and men.”

He references “those who in recent weeks, painfully and tragically, have been joined by three pairs of sisters and brothers. The beautiful and cherished, never parted in life or in death!”

Brothers Yaakov Yisrael Paley, 5, and Asher Menahem Paley, 7, were killed in a terror attack in Ramot in February. Brothers Hallel Yaniv, 21, and Yagel Yaniv, 19, were killed in a shooting attack the same month. Sisters Rina Dee and Maia Dee were killed in an attack earlier this month.

These and other victims of terror, the president adds, are “paying the price for our sovereign liberty here, on the soil of our homeland.”