Holocaust survivor Fruma Galant, who traveled to British-controlled Palestine on the ship The Exodus and was the mother of Defense Minister Yoav Galant, has died at the age of 88.
The Defense Ministry announced his death on Thursday as his son was leading Operation Shield and Arrow against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group in Gaza.
The ministry said the defense minister is still involved in the operation.
Gallant tweeted a photo of the two of them together and wrote that his mother died peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Fruma Galant was born in Poland and arrived in ex-state Israel in 1947 on an exodus, but the passengers were deported back to Germany by British troops before they could disembark.
The celebrated ship was part of an effort to bring thousands of Holocaust survivors from Europe and the deportation is widely believed to have helped turn the tide of public opinion in favor of the creation of a Jewish state.
My mother, puruma glant beit sahgal, halacha leulma booker.
She passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Bless his memory ❤️????????? pic.twitter.com/Cw1rPmV2sq— Yoav Gallant (@yoavgalllant) May 11, 2023
Valor later returned to Israel shortly after the establishment of the state and has often given speeches about her life to groups and dignitaries.
Last month, the defense minister mentioned his mother in a speech on Holocaust Memorial Day, noting that she was a five-year-old child when the Nazis invaded Poland.
“Like many people of my generation, I grew up on stories and memories of the World War I years,” he said.
The defense minister called for an end to the controversial judicial overhaul, citing his mother’s experiences during his March speech.
“Important, national changes are achieved through dialogue. This evening, I have been thinking about the generation of Israel’s founders. I think of my mother, Fruma – a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to Israel,” Gallant Said in the speech that led them to firing by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (he was later reinstated after massive protests).
Gallant then posted a video in which he is heard speaking to his mother in the wake of his dismissal.
Fruma Gallant said, “You have intelligence and courage and I love you very much.” “I hope everything turns out well.”
Gallant’s mother: “You have intelligence and courage” | watch the exciting conversation@shemeshmicha pic.twitter.com/4ZaE3T1vsX
– Kann News (@kann_news) March 26, 2023
Netanyahu and Galant have since put up a united front and on Thursday the premier offered his condolences.
“On behalf of my wife Sarah and all members of the Likud party, I send my heartfelt condolences to my friend, Minister Yoav Galant, on the passing of his late mother Fruma,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
“Fruma’s story is one of inspiration and the embodiment of the Zionist vision. She survived the horrors of the Holocaust, made the difficult journey to Israel in exile and raised a respected family with a son who is the Defense Minister of the State of Israel.” is,” Netanyahu said. “May his memory be a blessing.”
The Fruma Gallant was also praised by President Isaac Herzog and praised for providing a sense of duty.
“The story of her life is one of Holocaust and rebirth. A Holocaust survivor who fled to Israel and built an exemplary life and family here,” he wrote.
“I had the privilege of hosting him at the President’s Residence and his life story and the fact that he passed on the duty to serve and protect our people to the next generation,” Herzog wrote in an apparent reference to his son. “My condolences to his family.”
The Israel Defense Forces also issued a statement of condolence on behalf of all soldiers and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.
The IDF said, “The life stories of the late Fruma are intertwined in the story of the establishment of the State of Israel and are an inspiration to all of us.” “May his memory be a blessing.”
