Captured Israeli Officer Hadar Goldin Placed Utmost Value on Army Service

Second Lt. Hadar Goldin, the 23-year old officer from Kfar Saba captured by Hamas on Friday morning, placed the utmost value on serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

• U.S. Racing to Divert Israel From War With Hamas
• Captured Soldier Shouldn't Shape War
• Isolated Hamas Claims Prize
• Operation Protective Edge, Day 25
• The Third Act Begins
• Obama: Israeli Soldier Must Be Freed
• Operation Protective Edge, Day 26
• Jews Urge U.K. to Secure Officer’s Release
• Family of Missing Soldier: Don't Leave Gaza Without Him
• IDF: Goldin Was Killed in Action
• Thousands Attend Soldier's Funeral

“Everyone should know how to contribute and dedicate themselves [to the army]. It doesn’t have to be in a combat unit, but it should express a sense of burden-sharing, of dedication, of love of one’s people – with lots of love, a sense of mission and much sacrifice,” Goldin said last year in an interview at Radio Channel 7.

“We were raised with much love and a sense of duty. There was always a feeling of concern; there is always that element, as well as the need to be cautious. There will always be concern and a mother’s love. There is always a wish to advance with both hands extended to provide protection and lots of love” he added.

Hadar Goldin, who comes from a religious Zionist family, graduated from the Bar Ilan religious elementary school and the AMIT Kfar Batya Science and Technology Yeshiva in Ra'anana. He was an instructor at the Bnei Akiva youth movement and finished a pre-army preparatory program. He was an outstanding cadet at officers’ school and became engaged a few months ago.

His father Dr. Simha Goldin, a historian from Tel Aviv University specializing in the history of Ashkenazi Jews, issued a statement Friday afternoon to the media which had gathered outside the family's home in Kfar Saba.

“We wish to support the IDF and the State of Israel in the fight against Hamas," he said. Goldin, a reserve IDF battalion commander, added: "We believe that the army will leave no stone unturned in the effort to bring Hadar home safe and sound.” He then asked the media to leave the area, since the family observes the Sabbath.

Goldin has three siblings – Ayelet, Menahem and a twin brother, a combat officer serving in Gaza. The officer came home to be with the family in its difficult moments, after receiving the news of the abduction.