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Many of these visitors expressed a deep concern in the fate of the Israeli soldiers they met and indeed the State of Israel itself.
Through long-term relationships spanning many years, intensive friendships were established between the visitors and myself which later blossomed into the idea of inviting Israelis for a short respite abroad. Among them were soldiers that had been wounded during their military service or had become victims of terror attacks and lost dear ones.
Thus the DISRAELIS Project came into being and for over the past 2 years many DISRAELIS groups and individuals have been visiting families and organizations abroad. Till the end of this year alone there will be more than 100 DISRAELIS will have been sent abroad for their well earned holiday.
My own initiating of the DISRAELIS Project began by realizing a personal dream of expressing my profound thanks and heartfelt gratitude to those young Israeli women and men who had been wounded while serving in the ranks of the IDF and who had donated so much in the defense of their country. My Project has expanded and also extends to those who have lost their loved ones or were injured in attacks of terror against innocent civilians.
As a survivor of the holocaust the relationships as initiated by the DISRAELIS Project between the modern German and Israeli generations have a very special meaning for me. They serve to reconcile our two nations without forgetting the tragic past. These connections established through personal contacts between the DISRAELIS and their foreign hosts are erecting a wall of understanding and friendship brick by brick which is growing firmer and deeper with each visit. After establishing this formidable endeavor it is my dream to widen the scope and enable Israeli loving people from all over the world to take part in this humane Project.
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