Herzog eulogizes Oded Lifshitz as ‘a man who loved peace and pursued peace’

Speaking at the funeral of slain hostage Oded Lifshitz, President Isaac Herzog says he didn’t have the privilege of knowing him personally, but has learned so much about him from his family, his many friends and the articles written about him.

“You embodied the quintessential Israeli spirit in its purest form — shaped by the land you walked and the homeland you loved,” says Herzog. “An Israeli. A Zionist. A Jew. A humanist. A man who loved his people and all people. A kibbutznik, a pioneer, a warrior, a settler, a dedicated member of Hashomer Hatzair, a man of conviction and action, and, above all, a devoted family man.”

The president describes him as “a man who loved peace and pursued peace — who always extended a hand to his neighbors in a wise and profound way, seeing it as a supreme interest of the State of Israel. And yet, to our deep sorrow, you were abducted to Gaza and brutally murdered by monstrous terrorists, consumed by blind hatred.”

Herzog asks for forgiveness from Lifshitz and his family, forgiveness that the country did not protect him, his family and his kibbutz, that he had “to face these monsters alone,” he says. “Forgiveness that we were unable to rescue you and bring you and all your friends home from the clutches of the murderers — alive and in peace.”

Herzog calls for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attack, “the hallmark of a properly functioning country.”

“This is a critical milestone on the road to healing, rebuilding and strengthening our nation after this terrible tragedy,” says Herzog.

“It is inconceivable that this very land will today and tomorrow receive Oded, along with Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas, may their memories be a blessing,” says Herzog, who offers his condolences to freed hostage Yarden Bibas, whose wife and two children were killed in captivity and will be buried tomorrow.

He says that the community of Nir Oz has shown incredible spirit, showing the essence of Nir and Oz, light and strength, and that the community will overcome, will live and thrive, will rebuild and be rebuilt, will remain a symbol of resilience, renewal, faith and great hope.