The ‘Witnesses in Uniform’ delegation, which departed this week (Sunday) for a heritage journey marking 81 years since the end of World War II, includes 35 officers from all branches and directorates, both regular and reserve. They are accompanied by Holocaust survivor Mrs. Irene Shasha, representatives of bereaved families, Mrs. Yael Nizri – mother of Major Guy Nizri z”l, Mr. Avner Ben Ari – brother of Major Hagai Ben Ari z”l, the delegation’s rabbi, Lt. Col. (Res.) Rabbi Shmuel Slotki – who lost both his sons, Noam and Yishai, in the battles of October 7th, returnee Omri Miran, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz and returned from Hamas captivity after 738 days, and his father Dani.
As part of the delegation, the officers and participants visited extermination camps, heard testimony from a Holocaust survivor, and attended lectures by representatives of bereaved families who spoke about the heroism of the current generation in the face of the heroism displayed by Jews during the Holocaust. They delved into the heritage of the Jewish people and marched in the “March of the Living” in the presence of thousands of young people from around the world.
Holocaust survivor Mrs. Irene Shasha said: “I stand here today, as the sole representative of my brothers and sisters, with a delegation of dozens of officers and commanders in the Israel Defense Forces, whose people embody the essence of human strength and dignity. From here, I send you a promise: we will continue to march with pride, together. Despite all obstacles, our will and spirit carry us forward – together, unbreakable. Am Yisrael Chai!”
The delegation commander, Brig. Gen. Guy Hasson, said: “We stand here together – bringing together past, present, and future – on the blood-soaked soil of Poland of our brothers and sisters who fought for their lives solely because they were Jews – without a state and without an army. We are the generation of the present and the future, representatives of the Israel Defense Forces. Officers who chose to be part of those bearing responsibility – to be a real part, to be everywhere and at all times required. Memory obligates us to act, to be strong, and to be united. The reality of these days proves to us time and again how heavy the responsibility placed upon us is. Responsibility for the security of our people. Responsibility to be professional, determined, to never give up, and to win.”
Returnee Omri Miran said: “During my time in captivity, I thought a lot about my grandparents who managed to survive one of the darkest periods humanity has known. My grandmother and grandfather insisted on turning their national and personal tragedy into new lives – they built a family, they built the land. Full of values and Zionism.”
“And precisely here today – I want to remind us of this obligation. Just as the generations before us did, we too must rise together. Do everything to make things better here. For the sake of the country, for our sake, in memory of the many murdered, in memory of the fallen without whom we would not be here. And especially, especially – for the sake of our children.”