The Lev HaSharon Regional Council and the organization “Otef Israel” hoisted the country’s highest Israeli flag on Tuesday evening during a festive ceremony held in the presence of President Isaac Herzog. Also attending the ceremony were the Chairman of the Jewish National Fund KKL, Eyal Ostrinsky, the Chairman of the Regional Council Eli Aton, members of the organization, and 200 invited guests. Among them were relatives of fallen soldiers and murder victims from the regional council who lost their lives in the “Iron Swords” war and during the events of October 7, as well as mayors and other public figures.
The flag flies on a massive 61-meter-high mast erected near the memorial for the soldiers of the 5th Brigade in Moshav Nitzanei Oz in the Lev HaSharon Regional Council. It is intended to be visible from a great distance from the region’s main traffic arteries. The project originated from the vision and initiative of the organization “Otef Israel” under the leadership of its executive director Yoav Lazar and was realized in close cooperation with the Lev HaSharon Regional Council.
The highlight of the event was the moment when the enormous flag was hoisted to the top of the illuminated mast in Lev HaSharon after approximately two years of engineering and planning work. The installation was built to strict standards and is permanently illuminated throughout the night. It is located at a strategic point overlooking the region’s main traffic arteries and is intended to be widely visible across the center of the country.
President Isaac Herzog cuts the ribbon at the inauguration ceremony in Lev HaSharon. Photo: Lev HaSharon Regional Council.
“If you will it, it is no dream. That was a saying of Herzl’s. Herzl sketched the blue and white — this is where it all began. And when we speak of the flag, we think at this moment of the return of Yehuda Katz, of blessed memory, an IDF soldier, the last of the fighters of Sultan Yacoub, whose remains were brought back to Israel for burial after 44 years — demonstrating how sacred and enduring the commitment is to bring everyone home. He fought for the flag and will be buried wrapped in the flag. This flag is our flag. This flag expresses the eternity of Israel.
“On May 28, 1948, a very small group of fighters stood here and held back the 5th Iraqi Brigade. I think about the fact that we stand here today, nearly 80 years later, raising the flag high and saying to the entire world, to the Jewish people, and to all the people of Israel: The eternity of Israel will not lie. The flag will not lie. This flag embraces all citizens of Israel. It is the flag of everyone, and that is why we raise it proudly on high.”
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