Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion on Sunday unveiled the Swords of Iron memorial monument on the capital’s Ruppin Street, opposite the National Library.
The monument is the first of its kind in the city to commemorate both the victims of Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre and Israel Defense Forces soldiers who fell in the ensuing war.
“These are difficult, painful, and bloody days, in which our enemies are doing everything they can to prevent Israeli citizens from living normal lives, to harm the citizens of Israel and the State of Israel,” said Herzog at the start of the event.
“We have never sought war, and we do not want war, but let it be clear: We will not rest and we will not stop until all Israeli citizens return to their homes and are safe and secure. It is Israel’s right, and duty, to defend its citizens. Israel’s defensive and offensive capabilities are proving themselves, and we will continue until full security is achieved,” he added.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, Jerusalem City Council members, dozens of ambassadors and bereaved families.
“This monument highlights the magnitude of the loss Jerusalem has experienced, while also conveying hope for better days, days that we all pray for and long to see. This shared commemoration sends a message of hope and unity, which are so vital for all of us,” said Lion.
“Anyone who gazes upon this monument realizes the unbearable price that Jerusalem and the State of Israel have paid since Oct. 7—the profound pain entailed in this cost. This memorial honors the words, the tears, the stories and the pain of the families,” he continued.
A chapter of Psalms was recited by Rabbi Shmuel Slotki, who lost both his sons, Noam and Yishai, to the war against Hamas. The prayer for the return of the hostages was delivered by Jon Polin, father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of six captives recently executed by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza.
The memorial is made of iron, with a diameter of 14 meters and a height of approximately 5.5 meters. The names of the fallen are engraved on the monument—the soldiers, security forces, rescue personnel and civilians from Jerusalem who lost their lives since Oct. 7.
Inside the core of the structure, a verse from the “Nachem” prayer, which is recited once a year on Tisha B’Av, is engraved: “Therefore Zion will weep bitterly, and Jerusalem will give forth its voice. My heart, my heart grieves for their fallen; my bowels, my bowels grieve for their fallen.”
In the inner section, a mini auditorium with unique lighting was created for families to privately reflect with their loved ones.
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