May 1, 2025
Speech of the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, at the President's Award of Excellence Ceremony
"President of the State, Mr. Isaac Herzog,
Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu,
Dear family members and guests,
And you, the 120 recipients of the President's Award of Excellence,
Honored guests all,
"One destiny placed us here, placed us here in this land,"
wrote Tzafnat Yaron Tamir and sang Ofra Haza.
Our hearts are filled with pride this morning as we look at you, our distinguished awardees.
Today, you receive honor and recognition from your commanders, your comrades, your subordinates, and from the IDF — and surely, the entire people of Israel share a moment of pride in this moving occasion.
It is fitting that I begin by clarifying who is considered an outstanding individual,
because excellence is not measured by who is the most talented or the most brilliant.
It is granted to the one who perseveres.
It is a quiet, daily choice to act with responsibility, commitment, and integrity — even when no one is watching.
An outstanding individual may be someone who carried out a singular, extraordinary act —
but they may also be the one who, despite the repetitive, exhausting, and demanding nature of a task, manages to rise each morning and perform their duty with responsibility, professionalism, and without compromise, refusing to take shortcuts. An outstanding individual is one who lifts up their comrade before lifting themselves; who sees others before considering their own gain.
Excellence is an act of service — not for awards or praise,
but because the person believes that what they do matters,
that they have an impact, that they bear responsibility not only for themselves
but for their team, their unit, and their country.
Its meaning is not “what do I get out of this,” but “what is the right thing to do now.”
The commander, the outstanding leader, is the one who inspires trust and chooses to lead, to inspire, to give hope. This is demonstrated in times of crisis, in difficult situations, when things are complex and uncertain, yet you choose to move forward and not give up — this is where excellence and leadership are truly expressed.
Dear awardees, this year, the ceremony at the President's Residence has special significance.
You are receiving recognition during a time of war. A long and complex war, in multiple arenas, against numerous threats, which is still ongoing. I look at you today and see promise — the promise of the IDF’s strength and its ability to face the many challenges before us, a promise that embodies the power of this generation.
As always, even now, tens of thousands of soldiers, commanders, and officers, in regular service and in reserve duty, are performing defense and security missions with excellence, determination, and a sense of duty. We remember that during this war, many sacrificed their lives, their stories of heroism are engraved in the heart of the nation. Soldiers who excelled in deeds, spirit, responsibility, and willingness to pay the highest price of all.
You, the awardees, are an example and a role model for Israeli society at its best,
as it was envisioned by its founders and defenders throughout the generations:
a society of values and strength, a mosaic of humanity made up of the finest of our sons and daughters.
To you, the families of the awardees, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude. I am certain that the roots of all excellence are established in home education, in the framework of their childhood environment. Thank you for the values you instilled in them, for their love of the land, and for providing a listening ear and a supportive shoulder along the way.
On this occasion, I would also like to thank the families on the home front, the families of career service members, as well as the families of reservists and regular soldiers. The support our people receive from home is not to be taken for granted; it comes at a great cost, and we understand this well. It is our duty to honor you, with a deep understanding that the family front is what enables us to continue fighting.
Citizens of Israel, "One destiny placed us here in this land."
Throughout the entire history of the state, the IDF has been a pillar of stability and unity,
bringing together all parts of Israeli society, standing above and beyond any division.
The IDF is a living reminder that we have much more that unites us than divides us.
Within these uniforms, there is no left or right, no center or periphery, there is one people, with one purpose, with a shared hope for security, mutual responsibility, and peace.
As it is written in the Book of Deuteronomy: "All of Israel are responsible for one another."
This is a principle that was not born merely out of the need to survive, but out of the understanding that our purpose is shared. From the moment at Mount Sinai, where we stood as one, with one heart, to the battlefields of today — our unity is the secret of our strength.
Among the awardees standing before me are representatives from all across the people of Israel.
Avigdor, an officer from a Haredi family, a father of a child, who chose to enlist in the IDF despite the social challenges.
Dorian, a soldier who made aliyah alone just two years ago, and despite the language barriers, excelled in his service in the Intelligence Directorate.
Oria, an observer from the Re'im base, who survived the brutal attack on the base and continued to serve in the IDF, demonstrating extraordinary inner strength.
Lea, a soldier whose grandfather was kidnapped to Gaza and murdered there, and from that great pain, she found the strength to persevere, rise, and excel.
Daria, the sister of a civilian hostage, who enlisted in the IDF and, even during the fierce struggle for her sister’s return, managed to stand out and become a role model for strength and determination.
And here are heroic fighters, who were injured in the battlefield, recovered with great courage, and returned to fight shoulder to shoulder with their comrades, overcoming all physical and mental obstacles. Each and every one of the 120 awardees is a link in the chain of generations, and together you all continue the story of the people of Israel.
The verse "All of Israel are responsible for one another" expresses not only "mutual responsibility" but also a deep partnership in destiny. For the State of Israel, this idea is essential to its existence and resilience, and no one is exempt from it — not individuals, not groups, and not tribes. "All of us are responsible for one another" is the biblical commandment: we all enlist, we all fight together, and we all sacrifice together, for the sake of the state and for a better future. "For one destiny placed us here in this land."
Honored guests,
Today, on our holiday, we remember our comrades-in-arms, the fallen, who fought with strength, courage, and sacrifice. We will tell their stories and the tales of their heroism, and we will act in the light of their legacy. Always with us, in our hearts, a place is reserved for the families of the fallen. We pledge to uphold our eternal oath to stand by your side at all times, to embrace, support, and ensure that we are worthy of the heavy price you have paid.
On this occasion, I would like to send my wishes for a full recovery and rehabilitation to all the wounded, both physically and mentally.
A few weeks ago, I visited the Levinstein Hospital — I came to support the wounded and their families and to uplift their spirits. There, I met Nico, a company commander from Brigade 7 who was severely injured in his head. Nico's ability to speak has not yet returned, and his parents, with love, are comforting him, serving as his support and voice; they teach us that excellence and heroism are sometimes also the ability of the wounded to fight, to rehabilitate, and of parents to teach their son to speak again.
Citizens of Israel, for more than a year and a half, we have been fighting shoulder to shoulder, alongside the security and rescue forces, with determination and a spirit of combat that knows no fatigue. Alongside the significant achievements, we still face challenges: foremost among them, bringing our abducted brothers and sisters back to their homes in the State of Israel.
At the same time, we are tasked with defeating Hamas, returning the displaced to their homes, and establishing a stable and secure security reality for future generations.
Our sovereignty and independence were not given to us as a gift. They were bought with blood and struggle, and they require us to defend them at all costs.
The Hamas terrorists still hold fifty-nine of our brothers and sisters. But they too know, their safety is not forever! The IDF is ready and prepared to strike them a decisive blow. We will use all the strength at our disposal, increase the pace of operations, and intensify their power.
If necessary, we will do so soon, with determination and confidence in the righteousness of our path.
Dear awardees,
About a month after the outbreak of the "Swords of Iron" War, a new verse was added to the song "One Destiny":
"We will return soon, we will rise from the dust, it will be good for us – everything will grow anew."
We, too, together with you, are adding a new verse to the long and glorious song of the life of the people of Israel. From this place, in the heart of Jerusalem, our eternal capital, we send a clear message: The Israeli hope is alive and beating, and our actions will speak.
Happy and safe Independence Day."
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