""A
week ago the momentous struggle opened.
The existence of the State of Israel,
the hope of generations and vision that
has been realized in our days, hung
in the balance.
Now, only a week after the last session
of the Knesset, which took place to
the accompaniment of the thunder of
guns, we meet with the tidings of victory
ringing in our ears... .
...Jerusalem has been reunified. For
the first time since the establishment
of the State, Jews can pray at the Western
Wall, the relic of our holy Temple and
our historic past, and at Rachels Tomb.
For the first time in our generation,
Jews can pray at the Cave of the Machpela
in Hebron, the city of the Patriarchs.
The prophecy has been fulfilled: "There
is recompense for the work, the sons
have returned to their borders.
Now that victory has been won, let us
bow our heads in reverent memory of
the fallen. Hundreds of soldiers of
the Israel Defense Forces and civilians
have given their lives for this victory.
I know that there can be no consolation
for the loss of the individual and the
bereavement of a family. Every living
soul is an entire universe. Let all
the bereaved families know that there
can be no cause more just and vital
than that for which the dead have fought.
Let them know that by their deaths they
bequeathed life to all of us. In the
name of the entire nation, in the name
of the Government and in my own, I assure
them that we share in their grievous
sorrow. .
Our
people stood the test because it was
united, because at the fateful hour
it was able to concentrate its efforts
and act as one man.
The people stood the test. Hundreds
of thousands of young people and new
immigrants, in big or little tasks,
each according to his age and his abilities,
proved that their roots in this country
are eternal. It was shown that the spirit
of the people flows from the spiritual
revival of the State.
The State of Israel has stood the test
because it knew that it carried the
hopes of the entire Jewish people. The
unity of our people has been forged
anew in these days. All the Diaspora
communities were keenly conscious of
their solidarity with the State of Israel,
the heart of the Jewish people. Thousands
of our people came forward to help.
Hundreds of thousands, millions, are
ready to give us all the assistance
in their power. Even those who are unable
to offer their aid have their hearts
with us in our struggle. Just as our
own country has attained a higher unity,
so has the unity of the Jewish people
been reinforced. Jerusalem has been
joined together, and in its unity, as
our sages said, it has made all Israel
brethren.
Israel has emerged stronger than before
from the test of fire and blood. Faithful
to herself and looking with confidence
toward the future, with the aid of the
Rock and Redeemer of Israel, this nation
shall yet dwell in safety. .
Levi
Eshkol
Prime Minister : 1963 69
Broadcast to the nation, June 12, 1967
Prime
Minister, Levi Eshkol's