One thousand days after the October 7 attacks, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog held a gathering at Kibbutz Kerem Shalom, as announced by the president’s office. The kibbutz, situated along the border with Gaza and Egypt, provided a poignant backdrop for the visit.
During the event, the president and first lady heard firsthand accounts from residents about their experiences during the conflict, including the hardships they endured and their determination to rebuild and return home.
President Herzog commended the kibbutz members for their resilience, emphasizing the symbolic importance of the day. “This milestone is more than a passage of time; it embodies Israel’s ability to rise from crisis and unbearable pain,” he said. “We remember, we never forget, and we persist in building, living, and acting with unwavering resolve. This is the story of Israeli strength.”
He added, “Our enemy made no distinctions among us. Our victory lies in rebuilding and returning to the kibbutzim. Our response is the laughter of children in kindergartens across the South and North once again.”
“We will continue to plant, build, nurture life, and choose hope,” Herzog concluded.
First Lady Michal Herzog: ‘You Give All of Us Hope’
The First Lady highlighted the residents’ return as a source of inspiration for the nation. “You embody the Israeli story: immense pain, yet unwavering spirit, community bonds, and the resolve to nurture life and rebuild,” she stated. “We walked with you from the start, when you were evacuated to Eilat and later Ashalim. When the tree was replanted here in Kerem Shalom, it symbolized the spirit that drives you. Each encounter strengthens us. You give all of us hope.”
The kibbutz’s security team played a critical role on October 7, repelling Hamas attackers and killing nine terrorists, though several team members and soldiers lost their lives in the engagement, according to an IDF investigation.
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