As many of you know, among all the phrases in history, the words chosen by our soldiers to most represent BFL are “Choose Life.” These words carry layers of meaning—from literally choosing to live when part of you is in so much pain that going on feels unbearable, to choosing to dream again in the new reality you find yourself in. There is yet another profound meaning that resonates with us as IDF soldiers: the willingness to lay down our own lives to save the lives of others. When we became combat soldiers, we chose the life of our people over our own.
There is nothing more difficult than knowing that our people—our children, brothers, and sisters—are being held in the torture of Hamas tunnels, and we have not yet been able to rescue them. Their lives are our mission, and until they are home, this mission continues.
I write these words as 33 of our 100 precious family members stand on the brink of possibly coming home. It is sick and depraved that we must negotiate with evil terrorists for the lives of the children they have taken hostage. This atrocity will not be forgotten. We are praying daily, along with all of our people, for their safe return so they can once again be held by their families, along with the rest of our hostages.
This is just one of the thousands of injured soldiers and their families from this war that we will do everything to help. One day soon, Mevaser will be in a position to help other soldiers stand strong again as the circle of BFL continues to grow ever stronger. Now, it’s our turn to shift this thank you to all of you who make this possible.
Thank you. You make Am Yisrael live.
Shabbat Shalom from Israel,
Yaniv