A tribute event to the Israel Police, marking the second anniversary of the war, was held on Sunday evening at the Knesset. During the event, Speaker of the Knesset MK Amir Ohana (Likud) said, “On shift and off duty, from police stations and from home, in uniform and out of uniform—you left your families and went out with volleys of missiles and gunfire over your heads, for that was the moment you felt that you were being called to the flag. For the people of Israel were in trouble, and you came to the rescue. You undertook immense risks, and some of you did not return. You were prepared for this terrible possibility—for you are of Israel. You are of Israel, and Israel is yours.
“The heroism took a very heavy toll. On October 7 we lost 58 police officers, men and women, including the late Ran Gvili, whose body is still being held in Gaza. In the war since then, another 14 police officers have fallen. Our heart is with their families, who paid the dearest and harshest price of all. The State of Israel has been and remains committed to the sacred mission of bringing back all our deceased hostages. In these moments too, it is making all efforts to bring back Ran’s body and all our deceased [hostages] to eternal rest in the Holy Land,” said the Knesset Speaker.
In a video screened at the event, Prime Minister MK Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) said, “In the past years, all of Israel’s citizens have understood the immense role you play, and this was heightened even further in the October 7 events. The Israel Police acted in an exemplary manner to save the State of Israel. This demonstrated your depth of spirit.”
Minister of National Security MK Itamar Ben Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) said at the event, “In those terrible days, you, the fighters of the Israel Police, stood at the forefront of defending the nation and the homeland. Your heroism on October 7 prevented a national disaster, and shows that the Israel Police does not only uphold the law, it is the protective wall of the State of Israel.
“You laid down your lives, you protected with your own bodies, you strove to engage [the enemy] and did not hesitate for a moment. Like Abraham the patriarch, you went out with devotion, sacrificing everything for the sake of the next generations.
“Thanks to you, the State of Israel lives and stands firm. May the memory of the fallen be a blessing, and may your hands, which build up Israel’s security day after day, be strengthened,” said Minister MK Ben Gvir.
Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Daniel Levy: “On October 7, you arrived first to save lives. I saw your heroism up close. I saw police officers and combatants who, at the moment of truth, chose comradeship, responsibility, sacrifice—and interposed their body and soul between the civilians and the enemy.
“Many of you paid a heavy price, and friends of ours did not return. We embrace the families of the fallen this evening—we are all one family.
“I pledge that we will continue forever to stand with the families of the fallen and to provide support to all the police officers who survived and relive October 7 every day,” said the police commissioner.
Speaker of the Knesset MK Ohana presented Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Levy with a medal for his contribution to the security of the State of Israel and its citizens, as well as an acknowledgment certificate for the Israel Police. Additionally, acknowledgment medals were presented to 19 major generals in the police.
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