As the clouds of the greatest and most terrible storm in the history of the State of Israel cleared, an unimaginable reality of hostages who were taken under the threat of murder into the Gaza Strip, was revealed to Israel: soldiers, civilians, parents and children, from infants to grandfathers.
Israeli society revealed its beauty and unity when it embraced and helped the families of the hostages, families who are at the forefront of Israeli society: secular, religious, ultra-Orthodox, Arabs, Jews, Israelis and non-Israelis, from the right and the left. Together we rejoiced with the families of the hostages who returned alive. Together we mourned with the families of the hostages who were murdered by the terrorists in the Gaza Strip. Together we prayed for the peace of those who are still there.
Almost ten months have passed and the temporary is fast feeling like a permanent reality, and families, our flesh and blood, need us. Because for them there is no day and no night - Families, members of our people, who need the help of Israeli society for their survival.
We can and must help. To give a shoulder or a hand to help - according to each of our abilities, so that they can rehabilitate themselves as much as possible, in both body and mind.
I accepted the request to be the president of the foundation and I am proud to do so as a full volunteer. The fund will focus on supporting and assisting the families of the hostages, all in accordance with the goals defined by the fund, all the while continuing to have a joint dialogue with the families to understand their exact needs, with some of the founders of the fund already having been engaged in this for over six months.
I believe in you, I believe in the State of Israel and I believe that only together - we will win.