Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Visits ZAKA HQ

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a solemn visit to the national headquarters of ZAKA, Israel’s predominant search, rescue and recovery organization, in Jerusalem, where he met with the civilian volunteer emergency responders who have become a symbol of quiet heroism during some of Israel’s darkest hours.

The visit came amid the ongoing national reflection following Operation Rising Lion, the latest phase in Israel’s military and civil response to the October 7 Hamas attacks and the continued threats that have shaken the country. ZAKA has played a critical role in the response to Oct. 7, with over 900 volunteers deployed to massacre sites and disaster areas to recover bodies, help identify victims, and ensure proper religious burials.

The prime minister toured the headquarters alongside senior ZAKA officials and volunteers, offering heartfelt praise for the organization’s work during both everyday emergencies and large-scale tragedies. In his remarks, he underscored the emotional weight carried by ZAKA personnel, particularly in the aftermath of terror attacks.

“I came here to say thank you on behalf of the people of Israel and the State of Israel,” said Netanyahu. “We met after the first disaster (Oct. 7), and we are meeting after the victory that followed. This is the victory of the spirit of the people, the victory of the eternity of Israel.”

“You provide so much resilience in the knowledge that everything possible is being done for life and for those who are no longer with us. This is not a simple matter. First of all, it is not easy for you because looking at death is not simple. It is not simple for the soul,” he added.

The prime minister spoke of ZAKA’s work as a national duty, calling it a “victory of the spirit” and “a testament to the eternity of Israel,” as he acknowledged both the emotional strain and moral courage the job requires. He also reflected on his own experiences with death as a young soldier, drawing a personal connection to the pain and sacrifice ZAKA volunteers often witness firsthand.

“Our dedicated volunteers see things most people are never meant to see,” said ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern. “But we do it so that families can have peace, so that those who have passed on are treated with dignity, and so that our nation never forgets its humanity, even in the face of horror.”

Weissenstern described the response to October 7, combined with ZAKA’s nonstop efforts during the war in the north and ongoing missile and rocket attacks from Iran and its proxies, as one of the most challenging periods in the organization’s history. Following October 7, teams worked tirelessly around the clock to recover and identify the remains of those who died during the attack, providing critical evidence to investigators on the crimes perpetrated by Hamas and its allies and on the presumed status of those who never returned home. Throughout the war, ZAKA’s dedicated volunteers have continued to respond, 24/7 to the sites of impact of rockets, missiles, and drones to help rescue those trapped under the rubble and recover those victims who perished.

The Prime Minister was briefed on the organization’s recent work, toured operational rooms, and viewed documentation from some of the October 7 recovery efforts. He spent time with unit commanders and spoke with volunteers from various divisions, including those who had responded to the October attacks and recent rocket strikes in the north and south.

The visit highlighted the unique role ZAKA plays within Israel’s emergency landscape, a non-governmental force operating alongside military and national rescue services, yet driven entirely by civilians and powered by a sense of religious and ethical duty.

Founded to honor the dead in accordance with religious tradition, ZAKA has evolved into a full-scale emergency response network, with over 4,000 trained volunteers operating 24/7 across Israel. Today, it operates a wide range of units—from rapid medical response and urban search and rescue to water recovery and culturally sensitive burial teams serving Israel’s Jewish, Bedouin, Arab, and Druze communities. For more information, visit: ZAKAWorld.org.