Today Israel lost one of its most staunch defenders. Meir Dagan, who bravely defended his country as a Maj.-Gen. in the IDF and as Director of the Mossad, died today at the age of 71.
Meir Dagan was born on a train in the Soviet Union, after his parents fled Poland to escape the Nazis. While Dagan and his parents survived the Holocaust, his grandfather was murdered by the Nazis. A famous photograph depicts his grandfather being humiliated by Nazi officers shortly before they shot him. Meir Dagan kept this photograph hanging at his office throughout his term as Director of the Mossad, the Israeli agency responsible for intelligence collection, covert operations, and counterterrorism, as well as bringing Jews to Israel from countries where official Aliyah agencies are forbidden, and protecting Jewish communities.
The Prime Minister for Israel,
Benjamin Netanyahu, issued the following statement on the passing of former Mossad Director Meir Dagan:"I would like to express deep sadness on the passing of Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Meir Dagan. Meir was a daring fighter and commander who greatly contributed to the security of the state in Israel's wars, at the [National Security Council] Counter-Terrorism Bureau and as Director of the Mossad.
The photograph in which his grandfather is being humiliated by Nazi soldiers shortly before he was murdered in the Holocaust was always before his eyes. Meir was determined to ensure that the Jewish People would never be helpless and defenseless again and to this end he dedicated his life to building up the strength of the State of Israel.
In the eight years in which he served as Director of the Mossad, he led the organization to daring and pioneering operations. A great soldier has passed away; may his memory be blessed."
The Prsident of Israel, Ruvi Rivlin, eulogized Dagan:
"Meir was one of the bravest fighters the Jewish people has ever known. He was imaginative and had profound faith. His dedication to the State of Israel was absolute - he saw his own well-being linked to that of the state and did everything possible to ensure the State of Israel's survival for generations to come. The heritage and hardships his grandfather endured in the Holocaust were etched in his soul. During the last Holocaust Memorial Day, Meir asked me as the President of Israel, to recite the names of his family, his grandfather, at the Every Person Aas a Name ceremony. Meir Dagan, the giant of all giants - as he was known, symbolized for many the rebirth of the State of Israel from the ashes of the Holocaust. I knew Meir as an adviser, a wise man, a loving and beloved man in all his rawness, a leader and a man of the people. I bow my head in his memory, and send my condolences to his family."
May his memory be a blessing.