Israel honors fallen soldiers, terror victims

Israelis fell silent last night as sirens wailed across the country to mark the beginning of Memorial Day, the day for remembering fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks.

At the evening's main ceremony, President Shimon Peres addressed bereaved families after lighting a memorial flame at the Western Wall plaza.

"A thousand words will not quell the pain shown in your eyes, this is a pain that has accompanied you for years," the president said.

"This year as well, we lost the best of our boys and girls, some during Operation Cast Lead," the recent offensive against Hamas in Gaza, he added.

The widow of the most recent soldier to die in combat lit a memorial flame at the ceremony.

The soldier, Capt. Yehonatan Netanel, was killed during the campaign on January 6 when Israeli forces mistakenly opened fire on his unit. Netanel, 27, left behind a widow, Tziona, and a 5-month-old daughter, Ma'ayan.

In his address, Peres said Israel's very existence was still threatened, in an apparent reference to Iran.

"From near and far people are trying to wipe us out - and see this wonder: We are not frightened, not fleeing from battle," he said.

"We don't want war, but if it is forced upon us, I advise both our friends and enemies to be on the right side, on our side, on the side that has always prevailed and will prevail."

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi told the tearful gathering of families and dignitaries at the Western Wall that Israel must face extremists from the Palestinian territories and Iran.

"The declarations of Iran's president a few days ago still resonate and remind us that in the 61st year of Israel's independence, the threats against it haven't stopped or slowed," Ashkenazi said. "Israel considers Iran a main enemy because of Ahmadinejad's threats, Iran's nuclear program and its development of long-range missiles."

He was referring to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's tirade against Israel at the Durban II racism conference in Geneva last week.

After Ashkenazi and Peres' speeches, an IDF cantor recited Kaddish, the Jewish prayer of mourning.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Monday to spare no effort to secure the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, speaking at the day's opening service.

The Defense Ministry said 133 soldiers and civilians died during the past year either in the course of military service or as civilian casualties of hostile activity.