A sense of sorrow, a sense of pride

The Israel Defense Forces' list of citations and commendations for Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip was a pause on an otherwise vexing day. It was a day when Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was suspected of buying cheap oil from Iran at the expense of her countrymen's blood, victims of the Arab terrorism; when Hezbollah made threats to Israel so outrageous that they could be considered war crimes even before it acted on them; and when the Israeli political arena was curiously following the decline of Yisrael Beytenu, Likud voting irregularities, and the prospect that Meretz may not pass the election threshold. The military commendations proved that a different Israel also exists -- one that inspires pride.

At the top stands Lt. Eitan Fund, who stormed a dark Gaza tunnel without backup and with only a gun in his hand in search for his friend 2nd Lt. Hadar Goldin. The medal he was awarded attests to his dedication, fighting spirit, bravery, discretion, and loyalty to the Israeli values he grew up on. The military has good reason to make him into a role model.

Every generation of fighters produces people like Fund. On Tuesday, my commander, Brig. Gen. Natan Nir, will be laid to rest. Nir, who was wounded during the 1967 Six-Day War and underwent an excruciating ordeal following 36 surgeries, remained determined to return to active service and command the Armored Corps 217th Division during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, which ended up defeating the Egyptian Third Army.

Fund's decision to enter the tunnel was widely reported in the media, but now, after reading about the long list of courageous acts, and the dedication, responsibility and vigilance by Israeli soldiers during the military operation, it is clear that the young Givati Brigade officer does not stand alone. Many young Israelis risked their lives and even lost them, sparing no effort to protect the public.

Operation Protective Edge lasted 50 days, not because the IDF could not deal Gaza a more massive blow, but because it chose not to do so. Still, even a cautious and responsible war takes a heavy toll, as evident by the list of soldiers honored, including those who fell in battle. This is when we stop for a moment, wipe away our tears, and feel proud.

טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו