Slain hostage Oded Lifshitz and founder of Kibbutz Nir Oz was laid to rest in the kibbutz on Tuesday.
His oldest son, Arnon, mourned him, “You would not say the word revenge; in all the years, I never heard that word leave your mouth.”
“You came back in a deal, and it is clear to me you would not have agreed anyone risked themselves for your body,” he added.
Lifshitz’s wife, Yocheved, who was released in the November 2023 hostage deal, said, “We fought for peace and justice our whole lives.” We “took a strong hit from the people we helped on the other side,” she added.
She added that other people from the kibbutz were still chained in tunnels in captivity, saying it was the obligation of the state to bring them back.
Yizhar, Oded’s son, apologized to him and said, “Sorry, I’m burying a few of your bones. It’s hard. Thank you very much to everyone who came. I bow my head. I love you. I’m ashamed, Oded; I miss you so much. How could you say that you would live in an interesting time because it’s a curse that you bless, and by and large, you grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust at home during the War of Independence?”
We raised children and cactuses, we traveled the world, and we took our grandchildren by turns to experience everything we loved, she shared.
Lifshitz’s sister, Talma, said that they spoke with her brother on the morning of the October 7 massacre. He had heard the bombing, shooting, and voice in Arabic on the kibbutz, but “he was not afraid; he said the IDF would be there soon.”
Lifshitz’s nephew, Gadi, said that they had fought for his uncle in his name and that they would keep fighting. Now he is gone, something was taken from us, but Oded is still alive inside us, he added.
One of the founders of Nir Oz, who came with Lifshitz from Haifa, shared that of the four who came from Haifa along with Oded and him, two others were killed and taken captive. He had hoped Oded would come back, and at least two would have survived. “I was left alone,” he said.
President Isaac Herzog apologized to Lifshitz and his family; “as president, in the name of the state, I say to Oded, Yocheved, and the family, sorry. Sorry, the state of Israel did not defend you and your family.”
“Sorry that you were forced to stand alone against human monsters, sorry that we were unable to save you,” Herzog added.
The president further said he heard the calls to make space for the testimonies and called for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre. The critical mission to bring back every last hostage is in front of us, he said, adding, “I commit not to rest or stay quiet until they are all back – every last one.”
“Pray from here for real peace and real security for our country,” Herzog further stated.
The funeral procession began in Rishon Lezion, passing through Sa’ad Junction and Nir Oz Junction.
Hundreds of people, including family members, kibbutz members, and residents of the Eshkol Regional Council, accompanied Lifshitz on his final journey.
Ambassadors from Germany, Poland, and the UK spoke at the funeral.
German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert paid tribute to Lifshitz, saying, “This is heartbreaking—Oded Lifshitz, a man of peace and reconciliation with the Palestinians, a German citizen, was kidnapped and murdered by Hamas. As he returns home, my heart is with his family. May the memory of this gentle man and his life be a blessing.”
Accompanying Lifshitz on his final route
Along the route, many have gathered at key junctions, some holding signs with Lifshitz’s photo while others wave the Israeli flag in his honor.
Last Thursday, Hamas released Lifshitz’s body, along with slain hostages Ariel and Kfir Bibas.
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