Real Life Heroes
They Came From Abroad, Died For Israel: The Heartbreaking Stories of 96 Fallen Olim
Memorial event honors 96 immigrant soldiers who fell during the "Swords of Iron" War. New initiatives include memorial book and stickers to commemorate their sacrifice for Israel.
Ahead of Israel's national Aliyah Day, a poignant memorial event will be held to honor the memory of 96 immigrant soldiers and security personnel who fell during the "Swords of Iron" War. The ceremony, to be held in the presence of the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, will pay tribute to the ultimate sacrifice made by these "heroes of Aliyah."
The 96 fallen, who hailed from diverse countries worldwide, embody the core legacy of immigration to Israel. Some were newcomers who arrived in recent years, while others made Aliyah decades ago; all shared a deep commitment to the State of Israel.
Memorial Book and New Sticker Initiative
During the event, the bereaved families will be presented with a unique memorial book, meticulously compiling the life stories of the fallen. Each fallen soldier receives a dedicated page featuring their biography, military service, family statements, a personal quote, and a QR code linking to their online memorial page on the "Olim Brotherhood" website.
In a new initiative, the "Million Lobby" organization recognized a lack of dedicated memorial stickers for fallen immigrant soldiers, despite the widespread practice of commemorative stickers in Israel since the war began.
In response, the organization initiated the production of 74 personalized memorial stickers, corresponding to the individuals featured in the memorial book.
The unique vertical stickers include the fallen soldier's photograph, a characteristic quote, and the QR code linking to their online memorial page. The stickers will be distributed to families and friends with the aim of widely publicizing the memory of their loved ones to the public.
A Testimony to Love of Homeland
Alex Rif, CEO of the "Million Lobby," emphasized the powerful message of the fallen:
"96 heroes who chose to build their future in Israel ultimately gave their lives to defend it. These immigrant soldiers and security personnel who fell in the war are a living testimony that love of homeland is measured not in words but in deeds. It is our obligation to embrace their families and memorialize their memory to ensure their story is never forgotten."
Jewish Agency Chairman, Major General (Res.) Doron Almog, added that the heroism of these immigrants reflects the powerful bond between the Jewish people and the State of Israel, a bond of faith, courage, and sacrifice.
According to "Million Lobby" data, approximately 3,905 active-duty soldiers are new immigrants, and 2,576 are lone soldiers without an immediate family nucleus in Israel. Since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, of the 916 IDF soldiers who have fallen, 10%-15% were immigrants or lone soldiers, over 90 heroes who left an indelible mark.
The event and its accompanying initiatives underscore the commitment to honoring the memory of these immigrant heroes while strengthening the vital connection between the Jewish people and the State of Israel.