Gal Hirsch Receives Honor, Vows to Bring Hostages Home

Retired Brigadier General Gal Hirsch, the coordinator for hostages and missing persons, was awarded an honorary degree by Hamdat Academic College in the Negev on Monday. The ceremony, attended by approximately 2,000 people, also saw degrees conferred upon 700 graduates.

In his address, Hirsch spoke about the ongoing efforts to secure the return of hostages and missing persons, the protracted war, and the lessons to be learned. "We must insist on the return of all our hostages, both living and deceased, insist on Israel's security without compromise, and on the value of victory without falling into illusions and misconceptions," Hirsch stated. He emphasized the commitment to leaving no one behind, vowing, "We will turn over every stone to bring them all back."

Hirsch acknowledged the pain for those not successfully returned alive, stating, "I remember them one by one, faces and names, and I will never forget, nor will I forgive." He also addressed the persistent security threats facing Israel.

Drawing on his personal experience, including severe injury from a terrorist ambush, Hirsch asserted, "I have been fighting the enemy for decades and was very seriously wounded in a terrorist ambush. I carry the scars and disability with me at all times." He added, "I know that when the enemy says he wants to destroy us, he means it. I know this from personal experience."

Concluding his remarks, Hirsch stressed the need for continued vigilance and strength. "The war is not over. We must continue to fight and strike our enemies again and again so that we can live here safely. We must be very strong, pray for peace, and prepare for war," he urged. Professor Haim Shaked, president of Hamdat Academic College, noted the new challenges the war presented to Israeli society and education, highlighting the role of educators in building the resilience of the younger generation.