Remarks by the Outgoing Commander of the Israeli Navy, VADM David Saar Salama

My commanders,

Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir,

My colleagues in the General Staff Forum, past and present,

Former Commanders of the Israeli Navy,

Partners from across the defense establishment,

Friends throughout the years,

Servicemembers of the Israeli Navy,

Dear families and guests,

Good evening, 
 
A time of war, a time of peace, and now also a time of farewell. I stand here before you, trying to summarize in words the role of my life. Here, on the shores of Atlit, the place where the journey of my life began. Here I've come full circle and am saying goodbye. A direct line connects you to the story of my journey. A journey that lasted 39 years, and above all, one for which I am incredibly privileged to have gone through. 

I had the privilege of going through a journey of maturity and growth, of profound learning, of sharpening and shaping worldviews.

I had the privilege of going through a journey of command under operational pressure, of fateful decisions, of daily engagement with strategic logic. I had the privilege of going through a journey that instilled meaning and moral values within me, that rooted me deeply - as a person and as a commander. And above all, in my personal journey, I had the privilege of growing within a groundbreaking organization, extraordinarily values-driven, that constitutes a central pillar of the national security of the State of Israel.
Personnel of the Israeli Navy, if I could, I would summon every one of you here today, salute you, and personally thank you for your extraordinary service, especially during the war. If I could, I would also condense into words the accomplishments of the Israeli Navy, which at times seemed to transcend the boundaries of imagination. Together, we sailed through the shaping of concepts, through unprecedented force build-up, and through groundbreaking operational activity that at times felt like the realization of a dream. We changed paradigms, expanded operational capabilities, made mistakes, learned, and improved.

We strengthened the foundations of maritime strategy — the ability to see beyond the horizon, to act before the threat emerges, to connect intelligence, technology, fighting spirit, and leadership. And yet, to my deep sorrow, we were also caught by surprise. On October 7th, we did not fulfill our mission; we failed in defending Israeli civilians. And from within that deep fracture, heroism emerged. The moment the terrorists infiltrated was also the moment when the troops of the routine security fleet charged forward and fought with extraordinary bravery.

From that  dark Saturday, when our hearts were seared with pain and a sense of failure - we united, surged into the fields of fire and across the maritime arena with one mission: to restore the sense of security to every home in Israel. And since then - we have been fighting. This is a long and complex war, but above all - it is a just war. A war in which the sea is not merely a border, but an arena of initiative and ingenuity. An arena that combines defense, offense, partnership, and decisive action.

Reality underscores the necessity of remaining vigilant at all times, ready to act in the face of every challenge and every mission. The war is not over, the arenas remain volatile and fragile, yet one understanding is clear: the Israeli Navy must continue to grow, evolve, and strengthen. We have been dominant in both offense and defense, and at the same time, we must further enhance our capabilities in the face of a changing reality, evolving enemies, and especially the shifts unfolding in the near and distant arenas.

Dear guests, in just a few days we will mark Memorial Day and Independence Day. We remember well that Israel’s independence is not a miracle. It could not have occurred without our people, the best of our sons and daughters, who are called upon time and again to fight and to dream, to defend the borders and values of the State of Israel. It could not have endured without our people who risked their lives, and whose lives were cut short before their time.

Dear bereaved families, the wellspring of our shared strength is the memory of the fallen. In every encounter with you, I came to offer strength and left strengthened myself. Strengthened by your spirit, your resilience, and your generosity, accompanied by an immense sense of pride. Know that the strength I drew upon in commanding the Israeli Navy during the war also came from you. I promise that the memory of the sons and daughters who fell will continue to serve as our compass. 

Personnel of the Israeli Navy, together we share countless memories. Operations, experiences, encounters, moments that left their mark. Feelings of profound fulfillment alongside pain, immense pride, heroism, peaks and falls, calm seas and storms - yet words cannot fully contain or recount it all. Still, on this occasion, I would like to share with you some of the moments from the war that were etched into my memory and continue to accompany me to this day: 

The moment when the soldier David Moshe Ben Shitrit, of blessed memory, presented me with his ship’s insignia during my visit to Flotilla 914 on Hanukkah 2023. Ten months later, David was killed during operational activity. 

The moment of my last Passover Seder at sea during the war, surrounded by soldiers singing the Passover Haggadah aloud, strengthening the spirit and the fight for our freedom.

The moment of meeting a team of soldiers from the Shayetet (Flotilla 13) returning from an operation thousands of kilometers away from the State of Israel, after taking unimaginable risks - risks likely taken only in wartime.

The moment when one missile was fired, and then another, and another, around 30 in total, sinking most of the Syrian regime’s navy within a short time. The same  navy that, for decades, we had all trained and prepared to confront when called upon.

And I also remember Alisa, the aunt of Gali and Ziv Berman, who were abducted to Gaza, who at every exit from the Kirya would remind me and urge me to do everything possible to bring the hostages home. Faces marked by pain, almost despair. I also remember those same faces after the return of the last hostage.

The images and moments of the war — those I have mentioned and many others — are etched in my memory and will accompany me forever. A war filled with countless meaningful moments that instilled in me profound pride and complete confidence in the strength of the Israeli Navy and its people.

Personnel of the Israeli Navy, I deeply value and appreciate each and every one of you throughout the Israeli Navy — those in mandatory service and career service, civilian employees of the IDF, and reservists. Thank you for your genuine willingness to act out of a deep sense of mission and love for the people and the land. Every day, you embody our duty through initiative, proactive spirit, humility, and responsibility.

You, men and women alike, are what make the Israeli Navy an exemplary organization. People who translate strength into action. “Your path led through the sea, Your way through mighty waters, though Your footprints were unseen” - this is not merely a metaphor; it is the operational vision of the Israeli Navy. We operate extensively where we are not seen. We operate far away, we operate deep, where we are not always expected. And in every mission, the outcome must be clear, precise, and decisive. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Israeli Navy’s senior command forum. Thank you for your comradeship, your shared sense of purpose, and above all, for the journey itself. You were there for me, and above all for one another, demonstrating remarkable mutual responsibility. The Israeli Navy’s steadfastness in facing the challenges of this time would not have been possible without you. My deepest appreciation.

I would like to thank my commanders, past and present. To Lieutenant General (Res.) Aviv Kochavi, for the appointment and the trust. To Lieutenant General (Res.) Herzi Halevi, for our integrated work together, even in stormy seas.

And to you, Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir: thank you for your trust, your guidance, your true friendship, and your partnership. Thank you for the way you lead the IDF, with leadership and responsibility, in the face of some of the greatest challenges and complexities the State of Israel has ever known. Thank you for your counsel, your personal example, for saying the right word at the right moment, and above all, for your comradeship. 

To my colleagues in the General Staff Forum and across the defense establishment, in the Mossad and the ISA, thank you for your friendship and for the shared and courageous path we walked together through a challenging and meaningful journey. You are an exceptional group of people of immense strength, and it was my privilege to serve alongside you.

I would like to thank my office staff, the people who accompanied me closely throughout the past four and a half years. Thank you for dedication and commitment worthy of the highest praise. Without you, it would not have been the same. I deeply appreciate you.

In a few moments, I will pass the command flag to my friend, Vice Admiral Eyal Harel. A talented and experienced commander who knows the missions of the Israeli Navy in depth.

Eyal, with great pride, I pass command to you. You are receiving a steadfast, sharp, and determined navy. One deeply aware of the significance of its mission. I am confident that you will lead the Israeli Navy forward, toward distant horizons and new achievements. Wishing you much success.

I did not walk this long journey alone... My father, of blessed memory, is not here, but he is certainly present at the ceremony. He is physically present here, 100 meters away, in the cemetery next to the base fence. My mother, may she live a long life, is here with us. Mom, I want to thank you for 57 years of love, understanding, and wisdom. For being an inseparable part of the path, for educating us with moral values and good manners. Thank you for everything. To my two brothers, Amir and Dani, together we are a solid core, always there for one another, I want to thank you for the support and the anchor you are for me at all times.

To my dear family, you are my lighthouse. Always. Even when the sea is stormy. It is hard to describe in words what you are to me, what you are to us - for me and for Mom. You taught me lessons of immeasurable significance; you taught me more than I ever taught you. I love you, and I am announcing that Dad is coming home.

D', the best partner in my life and my anchor. It would not have been possible without you. You are a full partner in the role, a full partner in life - you are the true champion. Now comes the moment we have been waiting for - the time to plan new plans and fulfill new dreams. I love you.

Israeli Navy personnel -  they say that a person is nothing but the landscape of their homeland. My personal journey began in Atlit - that is the landscape of my homeland. I was born in Atlit, I grew up in Atlit, I enlisted in Atlit, I served in Atlit. My deepest roots are here. In Atlit I began my life’s journey, and in Atlit I am concluding my command period.

I stand here today in front of you for the last time as your commander - and salute you. You have given me a life’s journey. I’m proud of you. I believe in you. I am confident in your abilities. Go out, set sail, dare, win - and return safely to your home ports.

Thank you.

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