IDF chief to families of fallen soldiers: ‘There is no consolation but there is meaning’

IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi speaks at the official state ceremony for Memorial Day, noting the siren that played just minutes before to begin the commemoration for Israel’s fallen soldiers.

“This is a unique moment that let’s us feel the heart’s cry and the storm of emotions,” Kohavi says.

The IDF chief praises the values demonstrated by Israel’s soldiers and says the army is constantly working to prevent future casualties.

“The greatest expression to the the holiness of life is to do everything in our capabilities to minimize the number of injured during routine [operations] and war,” he says.

Echoing President Rivlin, who spoke before him, Kohavi says the IDF is committed to returning the bodies of soldiers who are still missing.

“There is no consolation but there is meaning,” Kohavi says in a direct message to mourning families. “We have a state, an army that defends it and therefore, the families, [have] an eternal right to exist.”