TEL AVIV — Senior commanders of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) convened this week for a comprehensive seminar marking Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day, reinforcing the foundational doctrine that the IDF stands as a continual safeguard against future threats. Held at military headquarters and attended by the General Staff Forum, the seminar highlighted the enduring connection between the lessons of the Holocaust and Israel’s national security, as Israeli military leadership seeks to ensure that history’s darkest chapter is never repeated.
The seminar opened with reflections on recent global events, including escalating security challenges arising from Iranian-backed terror groups and the surge of antisemitic violence witnessed in the October 7, 2023 massacre in southern Israel. Leaders drew a direct line from the legacy of the Holocaust, where six million Jews were murdered in the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Second World War, to the IDF’s historic and ongoing mission: guaranteeing that the Jewish nation will never again be defenseless.
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir addressed the forum, stating that the IDF’s existence represents the definitive response to the vulnerability experienced during the Holocaust. Senior officers explored how the absence of a sovereign state and protective military left Jews exposed to systematic destruction, and they emphasized that the establishment of Israel has reversed this historical vulnerability.
Panels reviewed past and present threats, analyzing Iran’s extensive investment in proxy terror entities—including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and militias throughout the region—whose publicly declared objective is the annihilation of the State of Israel. Relevant intelligence briefings detailed the operational methods and evolving threat profiles of these Iranian-backed groups, illustrating the complexity and persistence of their campaigns against Israeli civilians.
The gathering included survivor testimonies, reinforcing that national resilience and military readiness serve as both a practical and moral response to antisemitism in any form. Participating officers described the IDF’s efforts, particularly in light of the October 7 atrocity, to rescue hostages and prevent further terror attacks. These efforts were underscored as part of Operation Iron Swords—Israel’s sustained campaign to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and neutralize threats.
The seminar also considered the educational role of the IDF and its responsibility to imbue younger generations with the lessons of the Holocaust. Collaboration with Yad Vashem and national curricula were cited as key elements in training soldiers, instilling both a deep historical consciousness and a clear understanding of the contemporary strategic environment.
Defense Minister Israel Katz and other speakers articulated the moral distinction between Israel, as a democracy acting in self-defense, and the terror organizations intent on civilian harm. Evidence of atrocities committed by Hamas and affiliates was discussed in detail to highlight the necessity of a robust defense posture. The forum condemned moral equivocation in the international sphere and reaffirmed Israel’s right—and obligation—to protect its citizens without compromise.
The IDF General Staff Forum concluded by reaffirming the unbreakable commitment to “never again” allow the Jewish nation to stand unprotected. The event served not only as a solemn reminder of historical tragedy but also as a call to continued vigilance, reflecting national consensus that the survival of Israel depends on the strength, readiness, and ethical clarity of its defense forces.
As Holocaust Remembrance Day drew to a close, the IDF and its leadership projected a clear message: that the Jewish people, now sovereign and defended, will remain vigilant against antisemitism and existential threats in a volatile region shaped by Iranian ambitions and terror networks.
