Holocaust survivor and Exodus passenger Fruma Gallant, mother of the defense minister, dies at 88

Holocaust survivor Fruma Gallant, who traveled to British controlled-Palestine on the Exodus and was the mother of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, dies aged 88.

She died as her son is heading up Operation Shield and Arrow. The Defense Ministry says in a statement that he is involved in the operation on an ongoing basis.

Fruma Gallant was born in Poland and arrived on the Exodus in 1947 but was deported back to Germany. The celebrated ship was part of an attempt to bring thousands of Holocaust survivors from Europe to pre-state Israel.

She later returned to Israel shortly after the state’s establishment and often gave speeches about her experiences to groups and visiting dignitaries.

The defense minister cited his mother’s experience during his speech calling for a pause to the contentious judicial overhaul.

“Yet, significant, national changes are achieved through dialogue. This evening, I am thinking of the generation of the founders of Israel. I think of my mother Fruma – a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to Israel onboard the Exodus. I think of my wife Claudine’s parents, who immigrated to Israel from Morocco, traveling difficult paths,” Gallant said last month in the speech that led to his firing by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (he was later reinstated).

Gallant then posted a video in which he was talking to his mother in the wake of his firing.

“You have intelligence and courage and I love you very much,” Fruma Gallant said. “I hope everything will be fine.”