Excerpts from the Burial of Daniel Perez hy”d
On Hoshana Rabbah, the Jewish world rejoiced as 20 living hostages were released from Hamas’ captivity. That evening, four bodies of hostages were also returned, including the body of Captain Daniel Perez Hy”d, two years to the day since he was taken. At his funeral, on the night after Simchat Torah, he was eulogized by President Isaac Herzog, Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, Matan Angrest, and his beloved family. Here are translated excerpts from some of the hespedim delivered at the funeral.
President Isaac Herzog
We have come here today, all of us, with broken hearts, to accompany you to eternal rest, Daniel – on your return to us and to your homeland after two years of immense pain and longing.
We have waited so long to grant you a proper, complete, true resting. And to grant you, the beloved Perez family, a little comfort and solace, a place to visit, to cry, and to be alone with his memory…
On that bitter and hasty morning, two years ago, Captain Daniel Perez commanded “Team Perez” – his force in Nachal Oz – with coolness and supreme courage. He was literally the first line against the waves of the enemy.
Together with his tank crewmates – among them Tomer Leibowitz, the hero of blessed memory, Matan Angrest, whom I was so moved to speak with today – a true hero who returned to us from captivity; and, Itay Chen, the hero of blessed memory – we embrace his family and demand, cry out and pray and work in every way for his immediate return to the landscape of his homeland, according to the Trump agreement that was signed. (Editor’s note: since Daniel’s funeral, thankfully Itay Chen’s body has been returned for burial in Israel.)
In those critical hours, Daniel and the tank crew, with supreme heroism, went out to fight the terrorists from the first moment; and saved many lives, until Daniel died a heroic death and was kidnapped to the Gaza Strip by those evildoers…
Today, Captain Daniel Perez, the son of the nation, returns home. To his land, to our land.
In this moment, so painful, on the mountain of heroism and resurrection, the mountain of longing, tears and faith in the righteousness of the path, I would like to address all the bereaved families, to bow our heads in awe and say ‘thank you’ on behalf of the State of Israel.
Thank you for the sons you raised – brave warriors who did not hesitate when they set out to save the State of Israel, fight the enemy, and to bring back the hostages.
Warriors who carried pictures of the hostages in their pockets, and strength and power in their hearts. With thanks to the heroic daughters and sons, to the bereaved families, to the wounded who sacrificed so much – thanks to all of them, we have reached these moments – moments that also give hope to our people and the entire region; moments that will be remembered forever and ever in the history of our state.
The beloved Perez family: Rabbi Doron, my dear friend;… Shelley, Adina, Shira, and Yonatan – in the last two years I have been privileged to meet with you again and again, and each time I feel that all of you – Rabbi Doron and dear Shelley as bereaved parents, and the whole family! – are teaching us another lesson: how even in the deepest personal pain one can hold on to the faith of an entire people.
Dear Yonatan, I remember your wedding well, a few days after the outbreak of the war – when you were wounded from the battle on October 7, when Daniel’s fate was still unknown, when [your wife] Galya and her family were evacuated from their home in Kibbutz Sa’ad – you married the choice of your heart, and I thought then what a personal example you set for the entire nation, what strength you gave us.
Your power, Perez family, and of course Daniel’s, reminds us of the supreme command: We must not stop, we must not become tired, we must not give up or accept a reality of terror, we must not accept a reality in which all of the fallen have not yet returned. The mission is not yet complete. We will continue to do everything until we return everyone to eternal rest.
In closing this circle, may the dear family, and all of Daniel’s friends, subordinates, commanders and admirers – know a little comfort and solace; and may the roots of our land finally grant Daniel eternal rest.
May we know how to be worthy, may we know a little more unity on this day and in the days yet to come, may we eradicate the baseless hatred that raises its ugly head, and may we know how to build a future of love of Israel, to build hope, to build a shared Israeli tomorrow.
May the memory of Captain Daniel Perez and the memory of all of our fallen and murdered in the war, be blessed and preserved in the hearts of our people for generations to come and forever.
- Excerpted and translated by Rabbi Aron White. Photo:Haim Zach/GPO.
Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon
Daniel died al kiddush Hashem, as a soldier fulfilling the milchemet mitzvah, to protect Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. If we initially thought that Daniel and our precious soldiers protected Am Yisrael, today we know that they saved Medinat Yisrael. Who would have believed two years ago as we heard about the appalling pogrom, that we would succeed in almost entirely destroying Hezbollah, or certainly to remove its ability to destroy the State of Israel? Who would have believed that we would have destroyed so much of the Syrian army, and certainly to remove its ability to destroy Israel? Who would have believed that in twelve days, we would be able to defeat Iran and damage it significantly. That in Gaza we would be able to strike Hamas strongly. And that we would send a message to all our enemies that anyone who strikes the Jewish people will pay a heavy price.
All this happened with Hashem’s help, but it would not have happened without our incredible soldiers. Daniel – you were one of the first in line, who showed through personal example the leadership in battle – a battle that saved Medinat Yisrael.
Gail Perez, grandmother of Daniel
This is not the way of things in our world. Parents should not bury children and grandparents should not bury grandchildren. However Daniel, as your father often says, we live in Hashem’s world, not our world. You will live in our hearts forever. An unbelievable, yashar, straight and honest human being. Yehi zichro baruch.
Yonatan Perez, brother of Daniel
I miss you Daniel, my best friend. And now, what I really miss is you being an uncle for Ori Daniel, our son who is named after you. I am sure you would have been an incredible uncle. Every time he passes the fridge and sees your picture, he stops and looks at the picture for twenty seconds… and then tries to eat it! Always the same picture. So I am sure he knows you. He won’t unfortunately meet you, only see your photo. When he is old enough, we will tell him the stories: how brave you were, how admired, how seriously and professionally you fought. We will tell him about your decision, as you saw a second wave of terrorists pouring in, to do whatever you can to stop hostages being taken. ‘If not you, then who?’ You fought with everything you had. Daniel, you are an inspiration to me.
Adina Perez, sister of Daniel
You are home, when you can finally rest in the Holy Land. We have waited so long for this moment, and it should bring peace. But in all honesty, this isn’t closure, it’s proof. Proof that you are really gone.
As I saw the videos of the hostages returning yesterday, it filled me with such joy I can’t even describe – watching families run into each other’s arms after two long, cruel years. It was a moment of hope. But then there was this pain, as the devastating truth set in – that as much as I wanted, I would never get that moment with you. I will never see you again, I will never hug you again, and I will never get to say ‘I love you’ to your face one last time.
Shira Perez, sister of Daniel
On March 17th, 2024, we buried here a bloodied shirt of your IDF uniform, that represents for me Daniel the hero, the brave officer, who wore the olive green uniform with pride. Today we return here your body, that Mom carried as part of her for 9 months, who became a sweet kid, a funny teenager, and who completed his life as an incredible man at the age of 22. Your body that spent so much time with your friends, that gave the best hugs, and where your pure soul resided for your 22 beautiful years. Today you have returned, to rest here forever.
Shelley Perez, mother of Daniel
Shelley’s words were quoted by Rabbi Doron Perez in his hesped.
So many people did so much for our precious son Daniel over the last five-and-a-half months. We want to sincerely thank you all for the messages of love, care and support, the prayers, Tehillim, communal prayers and hafrashot challah – these incredible mitzvot and so many more literally held us up.
Our unbelievable Yad Binyamin community, you made sure all our physical needs were met. We received and are still continuing to receive meals, care packages, shopping and so much more amidst all the davening and mitzvot. We deeply appreciate you all lining the streets of Yad Binyamin today, honoring Daniel as we left the yishuv.
Our heartfelt appreciation to our families, our parents, our siblings, cousins and extended family – you have enveloped us with so much love and done everything possible in the merit of Daniel.
To my exceptional group of close friends, the angels who never leave me alone for a minute and see to my every need – I am forever grateful to you all.
Matan Angrest was captured by Hamas on October 7th, and was held captive for 730 days. Two days after his release, the funeral of his commander, Daniel Perez, took place. Matan left hospital for the first time to attend, and towards the end of the levaya made the impromptu decision to speak and pay tribute.
Matan Angrest
It’s a privilege for me to speak here, and is the least I can do. The crew who fought with me are true heroes. I didn’t plan to speak, and I still can’t believe I am actually here. But coming here is the least I could do for Daniel and the whole crew – I’m sure that G-d is watching over them now, that they are okay, and that they are strengthening me from above. We will continue to fight until Itay Chen returns. I am ready to enter Gaza now to bring him back. (Editor’s note: since Daniel’s funeral, Itay’s body has also been returned to Israel for burial.)
I want to tell you all that Daniel Perez, may his memory be a blessing, is someone to admire. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing him will understand – he is a symbol, the epitome of this country, a gibor Yisrael… To Daniel’s family – I will be with you for all my life, I’ll never abandon you, and Daniel will always be with me – wherever I go, he will always be with me. And Itay and Tomer as well – they are also an integral part of me. In the battle of October 7th, they were truly the main characters, they did everything they could – it’s impossible to describe what happened there. I am proud that together we protected the State of Israel – under the incredible command of Daniel Perez.
It’s unbelievable that he is lying here – I can still hear him telling me: “I am so happy that you are on my team, that you are such a good driver, I want you to be well, to help you.” I am glad to be speaking here at this moment after two years of captivity, even though my legs are shaking, but captivity is nothing compared to this. This is incomprehensible to me.
I want to thank everyone. To Daniel’s family, to his brother (Yonatan) who I have been told fought at the base on October 7th, all the IDF soldiers for whom I stand here and send you strength, to all the bereaved families and the families of the hostages, including those who are no longer with us – may G-d protect them.
Thank you to everyone for coming, I am lost for words. I am used to being a pretty shy person, I am not used to speaking in front of this many people. I feel that Daniel Perez is me – and that I am with him. Daniel, you will walk with me until my last day, and with G-d’s help also in the next world, together with Itay Chen and Tomer Leibowitz – they are all my heroes. I’m looking at all of you here in the eyes and I’m telling you – these people gave above and beyond for Israel. The State owes them a huge debt. Thank you all so much for the honor of being able to stand here and speak – I feel a little weak, but I’ll be okay…
It is our duty to always remember Daniel. The country has been through a severe upheaval, but together we will get through this and strengthen the families. Am Yisrael chai!
May the memory of Daniel Perez, the rest of the crew, and all the fallen soldiers and hostages be blessed. And, b’ezrat Hashem, we will defeat the terror and be victorious.
Following the unique moment of a released hostage giving a eulogy just 48 hours after his release from captivity, the crowd of thousands burst into spontaneous applause.
