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Yair Jablinowitz

From Shoah to Tkuma: A Soldier’s Journey from the Battlefield to Germany

Yair (center) addresses the Solidarity with Israel Rally in Stuttgart, alongside ICEJ Germany Director Gottfried Bühler (left) and translator Lisa Schmid (right).
Yair (center) addresses the Solidarity with Israel Rally in Stuttgart, alongside ICEJ Germany Director Gottfried Bühler (left) and translator Lisa Schmid (right).

Two months ago, my phone rang, and it wasn’t the kind of call I expected. I wasn’t in uniform. I wasn’t at the frontlines. I was at home, trying to return to a sense of normalcy after having served nearly five intense months in the IDF reserves, following the horror of October 7th. The voice on the other end belonged to Paushali Lass, a dedicated supporter of Israel from Germany. She asked me to come to Germany to speak in front of thousands of Israeli supporters.

Germany. My initial reaction was shock—why Germany? Could I, as an IDF paratrooper, really stand in the country that had once sought to annihilate my people, to speak for the Jewish people and the State of Israel? For a moment, the weight of history felt too heavy.

But as I thought about it, something became clear. This wasn’t just an invitation. This was an opportunity for something far bigger than myself. I had spent nearly five months defending Israel after our enemies once again struck us, something I had hoped I would never see in my lifetime. October 7th was a dark day for us all, a day we had promised would never happen again—and yet, it did. But now, I was being given the chance to stand where our ancestors were silenced, and speak.

As I began preparing for my trip, life threw me another curveball. Four weeks ago, tensions on Israel’s northern border escalated, and I was called back to the reserves. Once again, I found myself on the battlefield. The very thought of leaving Israel at such a critical moment weighed on me. How could I leave my fellow soldiers? How could I leave my country when it needed me?

But when I brought this dilemma to my commander, he told me something that changed my perspective. “Go,” he said. “This mission is just as important.” In that moment, I realized that our battle is not just with weapons. It’s with words, with stories, with symbols. The fight for our survival takes place on many fronts, and this was mine.

So, I left. I flew to Germany, not to retreat, but to fight a different kind of battle—a battle for the hearts and minds of those who stand with us. Standing in front of thousands, on the very ground where Jews were once defenseless, I stood in my IDF uniform, proud and unbroken. I spoke not only for Israel but for the Jewish people who have endured, who have survived, and who continue to stand tall.

This journey, from soldier to speaker, from battlefield to Germany, was one of the most powerful experiences of my life. It was a reminder that while we must always defend our borders, we must also defend our story. Never again will we stand defenseless.

About the Author
Yair Jablinowitz, an IDF paratrooper in the reserves and international speaker, is a passionate advocate for Israel. As a key figure at Israel Destination, a leading tourism company, Yair has been instrumental in bringing delegations from around the world to experience Israel firsthand. His 150+ days of service following the October 7th attacks, along with his deep connection to the country, make him a compelling voice in sharing Israel’s resilience and confronting antisemitism globally.
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