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The night Colonel Kemp came to visit my IDF unit on Hannukah in Gaza

52 9
14.12.2025

Last year, during Hanukkah, on the Gaza front, a profound moment of unity and inspiration transpired when Col. Richard Kemp CBE, a distinguished figure with a storied military background, stood alongside my IDF unit to light the candles.  As we watched the candles candles flickering in my special Hanukkah menorah – crafted from IDF cartridge cases – the colonel’s presence brought a sense of solemnity and significance to the occasion.

The words of the Al Hanisim prayer that we chanted – “The few against the many…in those days and at this time – held an unmistakable meaning for us in our current struggle against the darkness of radical Islamic terror. Col. Kemp’s poignant reminder of historic events, from Gen. Allenby’s symbolic entry into Jerusalem to the valiant efforts of the Jewish Legion during WWI, underscored the enduring spirit of resilience and courage that defines our fight for freedom and justice.

In a moment of reflection, I asked Col. Kemp about the source of his untiring support and eloquent defense of the IDF and the Jewish state. His response resonated deeply with me. As a veteran of 30 years of........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)