Netanyahu remembers fallen: Life is the answer to death

Netanyahu recounted having met with orphaned children and not being able to tell them how to cope with the pain of losing a loved one.

"Life is the answer to death, the life of each one of us and the life of our people and the state. Look around you at the wonder that is the state of Israel," Netanyahu stated.

Netanyahu referred to Israel as a "light-filled island of stability" in a sea of darkness.

He vowed that the IDF "is stronger than ever. We can stand up to any test."

The prime minister said that Israel would continue to strive for peace with its neighbors and act to defend itself.

He commenced his speech by stating that Israel could only continue to exist because of the sacrifice of its soldiers. "We salute the fallen, our dear ones, the heroes of Israel, may there memory be blessed."

Netanyahu\’s speech was followed by a wreath laying ceremony featuring President Shimon Peres and IDF Chief of Staff LT.-Gen. Benny Gantz.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya\’alon honored Israel\’s fallen soldiers at a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Kiryat Shaul military cemetery in Tel Aviv on Monday, saying that while Israel will always extend its hand for peace, it is forced into war by those who refuse to recognize the Jewish state\’s existence.

"There are still more than a few groups that refuse to recognize our right to a national Jewish home in the land of Israel in whichever borders, and we are forced to fight back in order to defeat their intentions," Ya\’alon stated.

Ya\’alon said that over time, the threats against Israel had not lessened, but only changed.

"Terror attacks, firing rockets on the civilian population and the delegitimiazation campaign are challenges before us in recent years that will accompany us in the foreseeable future as well, forcing us to respond aggressively," he said.