Crowds lined the streets of Rishon Lezion on Sunday, accompanying slain hostage Shlomo Mantzur on his final journey.
People also gathered in Jerusalem to accompany Mantzur’s family to the funeral, which took place in Kibbutz Kissufim.
Mantzur, who was born in 1938 in Iraq and joined the kibbutz as a teen, was the oldest hostage held in Hamas captivity. His body was returned to Israel in February.
President Isaac Herzog offered his condolences and expressed grief at the loss of Mantzur. He asked Mantzur for forgiveness, speaking as “a servant of the Israeli public, representing the entire State of Israel.”
“I ask you, Shlomo, for forgiveness,” Herzog said. “Forgiveness for our failure to protect you in the very place that was meant to be your fortress. Forgiveness from you, from your family, from the members of Kissufim, and from all the residents of the Western Negev – for not saving you on that bitter, terrible day.”
Addressing the recent testimony stories of those who were freed from Hamas captivity, Herzog called for the release of all the hostages still held by the terror group.
“The testimonies of the hostages who have returned – harrowing, searing testimonies – make clear just how dire their humanitarian plight is. How their lives are in danger. How time is pressing and demands urgent action,” Herzog stated.
He added that until all the hostages are returned, “The Jewish people will not be whole. The State of Israel will not be whole.”
“May the memory of beloved Shlomo, and of all those who fell and were murdered on October 7 and throughout this war, be blessed and forever held in our hearts,” he said.
Mantzur’s sister, Hadassah Lazar, spoke at the funeral, expressing that she was “deeply moved” by all those attending.
“It is very heartwarming to see so many people here. Our hearts are shattered, and we are emotionally overwhelmed. At the very least, they brought him back, and he is being laid to rest. It is deeply moving to see so many come to pay their final respects.”
'A beating heart of Kissufim'
Hamas terrorists murdered Mantzur on October 7, 2023, and held his body until it was released in phase one of the ceasefire deal last month.
Mantzur “was much more than a community member to us – he was a father, a grandfather, a true friend, and a beating heart of Kissufim,” said the kibbutz.