A sombre reminder of resilience
‘NEVER AGAIN’ IS NOT MERELY A REFRAIN; IT IS A CLARION CALL TO ACTION. — BENLOLO
The following is adapted from a speech given by Avi Benlolo, founder and CEO of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative, at a Yom ha-shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) commemoration in Jerusalem on Monday.
At 10 a.m. this morning, sirens echoed across Israel, a sombre tribute to the six million Jewish souls — innocent children, women and men — whose lives were extinguished in the engulfing darkness of the Holocaust. In this hushed moment, Israelis stood in unwavering solidarity, bowing in reverence to their collective memory.
Today, amid the hallowed grounds of Jerusalem, the Abraham Global Peace Initiative stands alongside cherished friends at the Friends of Zion Museum to honour Yom ha-shoah — a solemn occasion that unites hearts across continents.
With deep gratitude, we welcome each of you who have chosen to stand with us today. Our agenda holds profound significance, as we convene a gathering of esteemed speakers, both live and through the virtual lens of Zoom, to navigate the depths of this historic day and contemplate the ominous rise of antisemitism today.
This year, October 7 bears the weight of harrowing recollections from the annals of the Holocaust. On that fateful day, 1,200 precious lives were cruelly snatched away from us, their voices silenced by unfathomable violence. More than 250 were cruelly torn from their families, leaving behind a haunting absence. Our prayers fervently echo for the safe return of the remaining 132 hostages.
Just yesterday, I walked amid the ruins of Kfar Aza, a tranquil kibbutz now scarred by the merciless onslaught of
Hamas. There, in that serene enclave, around 50 souls were mercilessly lost, with another 20 or so torn from their loved ones. A number of their brethren remain captive, their absence a poignant testament to the depths of our collective sorrow.
As I traversed the desolate streets, where once laughter danced in the air, I couldn’t help but be seized by a profound sense of déjà vu. The parallels to the Holocaust were hauntingly palpable — families torn asunder, lives shattered in an instant and dreams extinguished by the flames of hatred.
The memories of the Holocaust are etched indelibly into our national consciousness. Yet, unlike our forebears, we are not defenceless. We stand fortified by the stalwart guardianship of the Israel Defense Forces, a beacon of strength in our darkest hour.
And while our defences faltered on October 7, our resolve remains unyielding. For here, in the heart of Jerusalem, the eternal capital of our beloved Israel, we stand united in our determination to defend our homeland.
The Holocaust serves as a sombre reminder of our resilience in the face of adversity. It binds us together as a people, fortifying our spirit against the encroaching shadows of evil. While the events of October 7 bear no comparison to the atrocities of yesteryear, they serve as a stark testament to the enduring threat we face.
Had it not been for the valour of the IDF, the repercussions of Hamas’s genocidal ambitions would have been unfathomable. Today, as we mourn the loss of the six million and the countless others who perished, let us remember that these tragedies do not define us — they embolden us.
“Never again” is not merely a refrain; it is a clarion call to action.
To all those watching from the sanctity of your homes, I implore you to heed the wisdom of our forefathers: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”
Our resolve shall not waver, our efforts shall not falter. We shall continue to build our nation, even as we honour the cherished memories of those we have lost. May their legacy be a guiding light in our darkest hours.
May their memory be a blessing.
OUR RESOLVE SHALL NOT WAVER, OUR EFFORTS SHALL NOT FALTER.