Posted on 02/13/23
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Welcoming Ceremony for the Israeli Rescue Mission 'Olive Branch': "You remind all of us that we are one people, with one fate, and with one future. The entire people of Israel is proud of you. I am proud of you; I salute you."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Monday, 13 February 2023), participated in the welcoming ceremony for the Israeli rescue mission to Türkiye – 'Olive Branch' – upon its return to Israel, together with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, mission commander Col. (Res.) Golan Vach and Turkish Ambassador to Israel Sakir Ozkan Torunlar.
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
"Welcome home.
The entire people of Israel followed your rescue operation with great excitement. You went on behalf of the country and you brought great honor to the State of Israel. We saw you in action in the cold, in difficult conditions around the clock in the most sacred work a person can do – saving the lives of others. 'Whoever saves one soul' – you know the rest. You saved 19 worlds.
You did something else. You showed the entire world the true and beautiful face of the State of Israel: A small country with a huge soul, a country that rushes to help others around the world and in the harshest conditions, out of humanity and the highest morality. This is the true face of Israel.
It is precisely at this time that your mission receives an extra significance. In these stormy times, you remind all of us that we are one people, with one fate, and with one future. The entire people of Israel is proud of you. I am proud of you; I salute you.
Welcome home. Thank you very much."
Defense Minister Gallant:
"You showed the beautiful face of Israel, of the security establishment and of the IDF. This idea, of which you are the main partners in its implementation, was deeply appreciated by the Turkish people, the public and the leadership. All of you together reflected the various aspects of the mosaic of Israeli society, and all of you showed the face of the beautiful Israeli, who always rushes to extend assistance, in the spirit of the values that guide us as a people and a country.
Alongside our unyielding fight to defend our homeland and our citizens against our enemies, we have always known how to extend a hand to all those in distress and who need help. From an endless sea of pain and sorrow, on an unbearable human tragedy, you were beacons of light, hope and pride."
Also participating in the event were Prime Minister's Office Director General Yossi Shelley, head of Home Front Command Maj.-Gen. Rafi Milo, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary Maj.-Gen. Avi Gil, MDA Director General Eli Binn, ZAKA Director General Dubi Rubinstein, Fire and Rescue Service Commissioner Eyal Caspi, National Emergency Authority Director Yoram Lardo, Airports Authority Chairman Maj.-Gen. (Ret.) Yitzhak Gershon and other senior officials.
