43 soldiers and civilians killed since last Memorial Day, taking total to 23,928
In addition, 69 disabled veterans passed away due to injuries sustained during their service; official numbers published ahead of commemoration events
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Forty-three soldiers and civilians were killed since last Memorial Day and the total number of Israeli casualties of war stands at 23,928, according to figures released by the Defense Ministry on Friday.
Since last Memorial Day, 112 new names were added to the roster of those who died defending the country since 1860.
Forty-three were IDF soldiers, police officers, and civilians, and 69 were disabled veterans who passed away due to complications from injuries sustained during their service.
The figures include all soldiers and police who died during their service over the past year, including as a result of accidents, suicide, or illness.
Israel’s Memorial Day will commence Tuesday evening when a one-minute siren will blare across the country.
On Wednesday, ministers approved removing some Memorial Day restrictions, which included allowing families of the fallen, who do not have the Green Pass, to attend ceremonies.
The Green Pass is given to those who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from the coronavirus, granting them entry to public venues not open to others.
The new measures, effective as of Thursday, include raising the number of people allowed to gather outdoors from 50 to 100. The current limit of 20 people indoors remains in place.
Last year, during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Memorial Day ceremonies took place without audiences, and smaller events planned for municipal cemeteries across the country were canceled outright for fear of coronavirus outbreaks.
Memorial Day is one of Israel’s few national, non-religious holidays, during which large swaths of the Israeli public typically visit the graves of loved ones and comrades.
The general public has been encouraged to visit the graves of fallen soldiers over the next few days to avoid crowding on Memorial Day itself when close families are expected to attend.
