BICOM

Israeli leaders and dignitaries participated in an official ceremony to mark the one-year anniversary of Operation Protective Edge and to honour those who fell in the conflict.

The ceremony took place at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, where many fallen soldiers are buried alongside the country’s past leaders. President Reuven Rivlin described the operation as moral and just, “fitting of a sovereign state called upon to defend its citizens” who faced persistent rocket fire from Gaza in the weeks preceding the conflict. He emphasised that, “We are not a people of war, but if forced to take up arms to defend our borders and our existence, we will not hesitate to do so.”

Rivlin commented that, “When there is no fire towards Sderot” and other Israeli towns, “there will be no fire towards the Gaza Strip.” Indeed, he said that, “The rehabilitation and rebuilding of Gaza is an Israeli interest, with the sole condition that Gaza ceases to be a front to carry out attacks against Israel.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the bereaved families attending yesterday’s memorial event, saying, “I know well that there is no end to your grief, but alongside this you have the knowledge that your sons’ bravery saved many lives in Israel.” He also warned those who wish to harm Israel, saying, “I say to all enemies of Israel — Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and the Islamic State, too — whoever tries to harm us, their blood is upon their heads.”

Netanyahu and Rivlin both pledged every effort to return the bodies of Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul, and Lt. Hadar Goldin, who were both killed in the conflict but whose bodies were unable to be retrieved.

Although the ceasefire which brought an end to Operation Protective Edge has largely held firm, there has been periodic rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel during the past several weeks, including a Grad rocket which landed near Ashdod.