IDF soldiers are the true heroes, recently released hostage Agam Berger said during a visit to Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus.
Berger lit a candle there and was presented with a certificate by Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, which featured the words “I chose the path of faith” – taken from Berger’s first words following her release from captivity.
“Agam Berger, with your unshakable faith, you preserved the Jewish spirit,” the certificate read. “With your strength, you uplifted an entire generation. With your determination, you gave the people of Israel courage and hope.”
Berger, a female observer from Nahal Oz, was held hostage for 482 days before being released as part of phase one of the recent ceasefire deal.
captivity survivor Agam Berger, visited Joseph's Tomb in Nablus last night:“I want to say thank you to you, the soldiers. Take care of yourselves, that you are truly heroes. And don't forget anyone. They need us, they need our prayers, they need us to be strong for them"צילום… pic.twitter.com/eWSXBB2vNI
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Dagan also presented Berger with a prayer book engraved with her name.
“Agam, you symbolize faith,” he told her. “You don’t know how much the people of Israel love and admire you.
“Agam, you are a symbol, and your mother, who raised you this way, is a symbol of something beyond human,” he said. “You remained steadfast in your Jewish identity, keeping kosher and upholding Jewish dignity in impossible conditions. Even those barbarians respected you for it.
“Your presence here, at the holy resting place of Joseph the Righteous – who rose from the pit to greatness – is deeply moving.”
“May God bring salvation through the IDF, the Israeli government, and the entire nation of Israel, and bring all the hostages home with a great victory,” Dagan said.
Return of hostages
Levanon blessed both Berger and her mother and also prayed for the return of the hostages and for Israel’s victory.
“May you be a messenger for the people of Israel, bringing good news and seeing the good in everyone,” he said.
Meirav Berger said that, following October 7, she had twice attempted to visit Joseph’s Tomb but had not succeeded.
“Today, it finally happened,” she said. “It feels like Joseph the Righteous invited you, Agam, so we could come here together and pray for the redemption of the people of Israel.
“I came here to pray for our brothers to return home to their families. Family is a sacred value, and Agam deeply missed her family in captivity. We must return to our roots, see ourselves as one family, and bring the hostages back,” she added.
“Agam was kidnapped because she is a Jew, and now is the time for us to return to our identity, our values, and to live as Jews. May redemption come soon, with mercy.”