Swords of Iron Memorial
President Isaac Herzog and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion have unveiled the Swords of Iron Memorial monument in Jerusalem.
Moshe Lions with the memorial in the background
The memorial monument’s construction was an initiative by Mayor Moshe Lion, who saw the importance of establishing, for the first time in the country, a monument that unites and commemorates both the fallen IDF soldiers and the victims of terror attacks.
The ceremony was attended by the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, senior government officials, Jerusalem City Council members, dozens of ambassadors, bereaved families, and others.
The President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, spoke at the beginning of the event.
He said: “These are difficult, painful, and bloody days, in which our enemies are doing everything they can to prevent Israeli citizens from living normal lives, to harm the citizens of Israel and the State of Israel — all across the country. Tens of thousands of Israeli citizens woke up last night to a despicable terrorist attack, aimed directly at the Israeli home front, at children, at the elderly, at the sick, at residents who simply want to live in peace and safety. We have never sought war, and we do not want war, but let it be clear: We will not rest and we will not stop until all Israeli citizens return to their homes and are safe and secure. It is Israel’s right, and duty, to defend its citizens. Israel’s defensive and offensive capabilities are proving themselves, and we will continue until full security is achieved.
I strengthen the soldiers and commanders of the IDF and our wonderful security forces. Our heroes and heroines, the best of our daughters and sons — both in active service and in the reserves — who have been working around the clock for an entire year. They are fighting for all of us. They have neither night nor day. They pay immense prices — for our sake, for our security, for our future. I pray on behalf of all of us for their success and safety — may God guard their going out and their coming in, now and forevermore. I would like to extol the courage of Israel’s citizens — everywhere — who are showing resilience and responsibility, even in difficult, worrisome moments.”
“On behalf of the entire nation, I send words of strength and encouragement to our sisters and brothers in the North. True heroes and heroines. These are moments of trial for us as a society – and we all stand with you, support you, and are committed to getting through this time together, and emerging from it towards recovery and shared rebuilding in the North, the South, and across the entire country.”
Mayor Moshe Lion stated: “This monument highlights the magnitude of the loss Jerusalem has experienced, while also conveying hope for better days, days that we all pray for and long to see. This shared commemoration sends a message of hope and unity, which are so vital for all of us. Anyone who gazes upon this monument realizes the unbearable price that Jerusalem and the State of Israel have paid since October 7th—the profound pain entailed in this cost. Many times, families have asked, perhaps even left a will, something so obvious to us: Do not forget our loved ones, do everything to commemorate their memory in a dignified manner, and do so in a unifying way. Today, we honor that request and fulfill our promise.”
Lion added: “This memorial honors the words, the tears, the stories, and the pain of the families. It is a silent and powerful testimony to what cannot be expressed, but above all, it honors the lives they gave and the lessons we must take with us. The memory of the fallen—our soldiers and citizens alike—has left us with a mandate to continue, a mandate of love for others and our land. We must move forward together, striving for unity, recognizing our shared purpose, for the sake of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, and for the State of Israel. As we have learned so well in these months of war, our strength lies in our unity—only together can we prevail! Let us all, from the depths of our hearts, pray for the swift return of all the hostages.”
A chapter of Psalms (Tehilim) was recited by Rabbi Shmuel Slotki, who lost both his sons, Noam and Yishai, in the war. The prayer for the return of the hostages was delivered by Jon Polin, father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin (of blessed memory).
The names of the fallen are engraved on the memorial monument—the soldiers, security forces, and rescue personnel from Jerusalem who fell since the beginning of the Swords of Iron War, alongside the civilian victims of terror attacks during the war, residents of Jerusalem. The memorial was designed by Ollech + Tol Architects. It is shaped like a Star of David, which symbolizes protection and strength, with iron slabs reaching towards the sky as if in prayer, creating the image of a broken and cut tree, yet one that holds within it the potential for growth and healing, symbolizing the power and strength for connection and unity out of immense loss. The memorial is made of iron, with a diameter of 14 meters and a height of approximately 5.5 meters.
Inside the core of the memorial, the verse is engraved: “Therefore Zion will weep bitterly, and Jerusalem will give forth its voice. My heart, my heart grieves for their fallen; my bowels, my bowels grieve for their fallen” (from the “Nachem” prayer). In its inner, private section, a mini-auditorium with unique lighting was created for families to privately reflect with their loved ones.
The ceremony was hosted by Ofer Hadad Israeli TV anchor during which singer Omer Adam performed “Shir LaMa’alot,” singer Rita sang “Ad SheTa’azov,” singer Nathan Goshen performed the song “Nakhakeh Lecha,” and singer Efrat Gosh sang “Lirot Et HaOr.”
The Jerusalem Municipality, through the Jerusalem Development Authority and the Moriah company, advanced the planning and actual construction of the memorial, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense’s Families Department and the National Insurance I
