The father of Sergeant Gilad Nehemiah Nitzan, a fighter in the Sayeret Givati who fell in the battle in the northern Gaza Strip, last night (Monday) addressed an emotional letter to the leadership of the IDF, demanding to show Jewish heroism and not to stop the war until victory.
"A week and a half ago," the father began, "our dear son Gilad was killed in the battles in the Gaza Strip. A little over a month has passed since the beginning of the calamity that befell us. The nation, which until recently was divided and separated, rose and got stronger. Divisions were forgotten. Quarrels and social disconnections gave way to one simple recognition: We are one people, a Jew, the Land of Israel.
When we had the privilege of seeing our sons for the last time in the gathering grounds in the south, we saw a light in his eyes, a light of determination and a clear knowledge that there was no justice from this war, and with this knowledge came a tremendous and terrible willingness to give his life if required for the continued existence of the people of Israel in his land.
We saw with him a generation of sweaty, dusty lions, who were after days of stubborn fighting in the surrounding settlements, soldiers who saw difficult scenes that could melt hearts with fear. But this generation directed its feelings and energies to the present war. And in terms of these young men who give their lives - this war will continue until the future of the people of Israel is secured in its land."
Finally, the father pleads: "When going to this war, you said that there would be prices to be paid, and indeed we paid. We and many other good families paid with the blood of our sons."
"I call and demand of you, do not stop. It's time and it's the order of the day. Discover historical Jewish heroism and continue this war until it is complete with all its achievements. It is not enough just to wipe out the Hamas organization, but to maintain full and definite security control over all the regions of the Land of Israel.
All eyes are on you. Yaakov Nitzan, Shilo father of Gilad Nehemiah HY"D".
