Father of Oz Daniel praises Halevi at son’s funeral: ‘You know how to take responsibility’

At the funeral of Staff Sgt. Oz Daniel, his father Amir praises former Israel Defense Forces chief Herzi Halevi for taking responsibility for the October 7 failures.

“Of all the high-ranking officials sitting here, I choose to address you – former chief of staff Herzi Halevi. I think you are one of the most moral and significant people in the State of Israel,” says Amir Daniel. “Despite, and perhaps because of, all the burden you carry on your shoulders, you know how to take responsibility.”

The comment appears to swipe at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, who have been accused of working to absolve itself of any responsibility for the October 7 failures.

“I am the proudest father in the world, there is no one prouder than me in the world, but also the most in pain. We feel Oz always within us, he is with us, hears us and is with us,” Amir Daniel says. “In the midst of all this, we choose to be strong — this is Oz’s will and this is the will of the people of Israel. These are not slogans. This is how I raised my children.”

Halevi stepped down in March over the devastating October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, and has continued to take responsibility for failings to stop the onslaught in conversations with bereaved families and with the relatives of hostages.

Daniel, 19, of the 7th Armored Brigade’s 77th Battalion was killed on October 7 while battling the Hamas invasion of southern Israel, and his body was taken captive to Gaza, where it was held for over two years.