Zionist hero Joseph Trumpeldor recalled 95 years later

President Rivlin bows his head at a commemoration on the 95th anniversary of Joseph Trumpledor laying down his life for his country.
President Rivlin (foreground) bows his head at a commemoration on the 95th anniversary of  Zionist hero Joseph Trumpeldor laying down his life for his country. Trumpeldor reportedly said: “It does not matter, it is good to die for one’s country.”

KFAR GILADI, Israel (Press Release) — Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin made the keynote address at the state memorial ceremony for Joseph Trumpeldor and the defenders of Tel-Hai on Monday, March 2, marking 95 years since they fell.  The President laid a wreath at the foot of the ‘Roaring Lion’ monument in Kfar Giladi.

Also participating in the ceremony was Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Yitzhak Vaknin MK; Deputy Minister Ofir Akunis MK; President of the Northern and Central Magistrates Court, Judge Georges Azoulay; Head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, Giora Saltz; and Mayor of Kiryat Shmona, Rabbi Nisim Malka.

The President said, “It is good to live for our country. I grew up in the heart of the Beitar movement, which was the covenant of Joseph Trumpeldor, who was the blessing of Tel-Hai and is still a blessing for us all. I say to you – this is the true testament of Trumpeldor. A vision of living here, a vision of national revival. In his name the men of Tel-Hai went out to battle, and in his name, they gave their lives. Those who died in the events at Tel-Hai are not called warriors, fallen soldiers, or even heroes. They are called defenders, ‘the defenders of Tel Hai’ and with good reason. The people of Tel-Hai did not build their homes in this place out of a desire for war. They came to Israel to live here, to build and defend our land. They ‘made aliyah’ to live for our country. They were men and women, newcomers and veterans, people of education, people of books, and people of the military. They dedicated their days and nights in order to build a home here. They wanted to meet Arabic speaking friends, in order to create the ever so educational bond with their neighbors. A connection of life, of peace, and of brotherhood. The heritage of the people of Tel-Hai, is an eternal legacy that we carry with is. It is that ‘it is good to live for our country’.”

The President continued, “We are not able to relinquish the sword that we hold in one hand. It is still a necessity for us to lay down our lives. We stand now on the northern border of the State of Israel. Not far from here, only recently we lost two of our sons. We are not complacent. The IDF, just as the people of Tel-Hai, are destined to defend our children and our homes. The IDF is prepared to face any challenge, from near or far. The legacy of Tel-Hai, the legacy of sacrifice, of life, and of heroism, stands before us, and is the basis of our values. We act in its name.”

The President concluded, “Today I pray, that this legacy of life, which has stayed with us for ninety-five years, will continue to be our guiding light, and a source of vision for the future.”

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Preceding provided by the Office of President Reuven Rivlin