A moving tribute to Israeli resilience unfolded this week as a 96-year-old Holocaust survivor attended the funeral of Gilad, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier who fell during operations against Iranian-backed terror. The survivor’s presence illuminated the profound bonds that connect Israel’s Holocaust generation with those serving today in defense of the Jewish state—a connection forged through shared purpose and a deep commitment to the motto, ‘Never Again.’
The funeral, held in Jerusalem, drew together people from all walks of Israeli life. Yet much of the attention centered on Moshe Feldman, a survivor of Auschwitz whose decades in Israel shaped both his own family and his extended community. Feldman’s relationship with Gilad was exceptional: rooted in their long-standing friendship as neighbors, forged through regular conversations where wartime memory and military service informed their understanding of duty and sacrifice. As Feldman explained to those gathered, he felt ‘still waiting for his knock.’ His words—expressing the enduring impact of genuine friendship—mirrored the broader national sentiment of loss and resilience.
Gilad’s military service reflected a conscious commitment to defend the state of Israel from persistent threats by Iranian-backed terrorist groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. As a communications specialist stationed on the volatile southern border, Gilad played a crucial role in maintaining operational integrity amid frequent warning sirens, rocket fire, and infiltration attempts. His willingness to volunteer for dangerous assignments and support newly recruited soldiers made him a model of the IDF’s spirit and a source of pride for his family and peers.
This newest loss sits squarely within the broader context of Israel’s war on terror, reignited by Hamas’s orchestrated terror assault on October 7, 2023, which constituted the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust. Israel’s ongoing military campaign—aimed at neutralizing Hamas’s infrastructure, rescuing hostages, and defending the homeland against coordinated efforts from Iran’s regional proxies—serves as a direct fulfillment of the state’s founding imperative: Never Again will the Jewish people be left defenseless. In stark contrast, the abduction and abuse of civilians in the October 7 massacre and subsequent hostage crisis highlighted the moral and legal distinctions between Israel’s defense operations and the acts committed by terror groups.
At the heart of Israeli society is the belief that memory must inform action. Holocaust survivors like Feldman play an active role in educating younger generations, ensuring that the lessons of the Shoah remain central to Israel’s collective identity. Feldman’s eulogy at Gilad’s funeral emphasized the transition from victimhood to agency: the path from powerlessness in wartime Europe to self-defense and sovereignty in the modern Middle East. The direct connection between Holocaust memory and Israel’s defense was reflected in the words of comrades and commanders, who credited Gilad’s dedication—at least in part—to the examples set by survivors like Feldman.
National observances, such as Yom HaShoah, and daily acts—whether in classrooms, army bases, or synagogues—integrate testimony with ongoing security realities. This shared remembrance is not abstract; it animates the IDF’s sense of mission and permeates Israel’s legal, political, and social frameworks. The enduring trauma of survivors has evolved into a concrete sense of generational responsibility, as new soldiers draw strength and resolve from their elders’ fortitude.
Today, Israel faces not only battlefield threats but also renewed waves of international antisemitism. As Iran’s proxies continue attacks and terror networks operate on multiple fronts, Israeli civilians and soldiers alike live with a compounded awareness of their history. Yet the personal stories—like that of Feldman and Gilad—offer a testament to the unity and resolve running through Israeli society. Their friendship is emblematic of the way Israel weaves together memory and action: transforming devastating history into a forward-looking ethos shaped by a commitment to Jewish continuity and security.
As the funeral ended, Feldman repeated his hope that memory would endure beyond his own years, urging younger Israelis to draw inspiration from the legacy of survival and the sacrifices being made today. It is within these poignant moments—the honoring of a fallen soldier by a survivor of humanity’s darkest chapter—that the unbreakable spirit of Israel finds its truest voice.
