After the IDF announced that soldiers had demolished the house of the terrorist who murdered the brothers Hillel and Yagel Yaniv, may they rest in peace, their mother, Esti Yaniv, sent a letter to the soldiers who carried out the mission.
"To the Yahalom fighters," Yaniv addressed the soldiers. "Nearly half a year ago, a vile act took the lives of our dear sons. The soldiers of the IDF, both now and in the future, confront acts of terror. Hillel and Yagel were murdered simply because they were Jews. Solely due to being Jews who live in the land of Israel."
Yaniv emphasized: "We are not in exile – in the land of Israel, the Jewish people have risen and stand with their destiny – returning war to their enemies. You have been chosen to restore the honor of our sons. The honor of Israel. Our national pride."
"Our children will not return with the demolition of the house. The ache of longing will not diminish. The absence will not lessen. But with the demolition of the house, we will know that there is justice. And most importantly, the wicked ones rising against us will know that they will pay a high price for their heinous deeds. They will be held accountable. The entire surroundings will know that anyone who raises a hand against a Jew in the land of Israel – their hand will be cut off, their house will be demolished. And they are the sons of death."
"There is deterrence here. There is a warning here. And from our perspective, also vengeance. A desire to repay measure for measure as part of the statement – 'We are here and forever no more!' We will never leave the land of Israel. We returned to make this land flourish, and this nation. We returned to Shechem in order to renew the covenant between all the tribes. A covenant of love and commitment, a covenant between us and our Father in heaven."
"Today you have the privilege of being the long and executive arm of restoring Israel's pride. 'To revenge, to revenge, the judge of the land has appeared, the judge of the land has returned retribution to the proud.' With enormous thanks. Esti and Shalom, Rachel Tzur and Kama Yaniv. In the name of the extended families. And in the name of Hillel and Yagel."
