The parade of flags today will be particularly important, possibly even more so than in previous years. It has an important symbolism of deterrence precisely now, after the “Shield and Arrow” operation, and in the face of the threats to Israel in the various arenas and an attempt by our enemies to try Israel at a time of apparent weakness of internal divisions.
As you may remember, in recent years the parade of flags has become controversial. But these days the parade is particularly important. A determined stance and celebration with a raised head of the union of Jerusalem must convey to all the terrorist organizations and their supporters, all the enemies of the State of Israel at this time, that Israel is determined and united, in general and around Jerusalem in particular.
This is an important and symbolic closing chord to the “Shield and Arrow” operation, it is a display of self-confidence and deterrence in the face of attempts to challenge Israel’s security from the north and Iran’s attempt to unite forces around Israel at this time. This is an answer to the murderous terrorism that has befallen Israel in Jerusalem in the past year, as well as in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley
The parade is important not only to convey the messages to the outside, to the terrorist organizations and their supporters. It is just as important – and maybe even more important – to transmit strength and unity inside. The State of Israel and the security establishment completed a successful operation against the Islamic Jihad in Gaza, absorbing over a thousand rockets. Soldiers and officers, in all the units of the army and the security system, as well as in all the different groups of Israeli society as a whole, stopped the difficult debates that have torn the people apart in recent months and became one unified fist against the terrorism that continues to threaten us.
It is extremely important to preserve this unity. It is extremely important to celebrate it. And the parade of flags that celebrates the unification of Jerusalem is an important, right, and symbolic moment like no other to convey to all those who threaten us that, make no mistake, we are united and determined in the face of any threat – and we will win.
