Three recently injured Israeli veterans — one in a wheelchair— were given standing ovations at a packed fundraising dinner for Beit Halochem, the Tel Aviv centre which specialises in physical and mental rehabilitation for war wounded. The presentations left many present in tears.
The 450-strong audience, which included Israel’s ambassador Tsipi Hotovely, were told that 700 soldiers had been killed in the fighting that followed the October 7 Hamas attacks, and a further 10,000 IDF troops were injured. Many of the latter have been receiving treatment at Beit Halochem, from treatment for PTSD, to physiotherapy, to participating in wheelchair sports for the more severely disabled — and adding to the financial burden of operating the centre.
The mantra of the evening was “no veteran will be left behind”. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis recited a moving prayer for Israel and its fighting forces, and co-dinner chairs Katie Cutler and Michaela Meyohas spoke emotionally of their work in supporting Beit Halochem.