Bereaved group head: Cabinet refused to discuss swapping ministers’ Memorial Day plans
Eli Ben-Shem, representing families who've lost loved ones, warns some planned appearances may cause trouble; top Netanyahu aide denies refusing to meet, says cabinet raised topic
The government ignored a request by Eli Ben-Shem, chairman of the organization representing bereaved families of soldiers, to discuss changing the placements of ministers at Memorial Day ceremonies to avoid scenes of protests, he confirmed on Sunday.
As reported by Army Radio, Ben-Shem requested the sit-down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet secretary Yossi Fuchs three weeks ago amid growing speculation that some ministers from the hardline government will be heckled and face protests while participating in the ceremonies.
The report said the organization had contacted the cabinet secretary’s office several times since and was promised an answer, but one never arrived.
The cabinet secretary’s office claimed in its response that Ben-Shem had never followed up, and that the cabinet had not refused to meet with him.
It added that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was informed of the letter, and the subject was raised at a cabinet meeting, without providing further details.
The prospect of the political battle over proposed changes to the judiciary spilling into cemeteries and wreath-laying ceremonies on Monday night and Tuesday has sparked concerns that such activities could offend families and harm the sanctity of the day.
Ben-Shem told Army Radio that he was concerned that up to five scheduled appearances of ministers were particularly insensitive given the current climate.
Among the problematic government representatives are those who have made disparaging comments to veterans who are protesting the overhaul, and those who didn’t serve in the military, he noted.
Ben-Shem mentioned the scheduled appearance in Beersheba of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who was rejected by the army over extremist activities in his youth. Many bereaved families have called for Ben Gvir not to attend the ceremony in the southern city.
“For example, Ben Gvir should be sent to Hebron or the Mount of Olives, where there are military ceremonies as well,” Ben-Shem said.
He also noted uproar over the placement of United Torah Judaism MK Ya’akov Tessler — an ultra-Orthodox lawmaker who did not serve — at the Be’er Tuvia cemetery in southern Israel, where bereaved families have threatened to prevent him from entering the area.
“Don’t send an ultra-Orthodox [lawmaker], who has been told they will close the gates on him. It’s insulting to the ministers and MKs, whom we don’t want to disrespect. But we are in a difficult period, a special time,” he said.
“I just want the day to pass quietly,” he stated, stressing that bereaved families and citizens should be able to mourn the fallen in peace.
He said a 30-minute discussion on moving the ministers around could avert the problems, adding that it was still not too late.
“Don’t be right, be smart,” he urged the government.
Public figures have increasingly urged the public to keep politics out of the solemn day.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi asked Israelis to show respect and not turn military cemeteries into a “scene of debate.”
“There is a deafening power in restraint and silence, and solitude with our fallen loved ones cannot exist under the noise of debate,” Halevi added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant — as well as the opposition’s Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz — have also urged Israelis to put aside their deep divisions for one day this week.
In addition to the call by Netanyahu, Gallant, Lapid and Gantz, a group representing reservist soldiers protesting against the government’s judicial overhaul called on its activists not to demonstrate against the reforms during Memorial Day.
Israel’s Memorial Day will commence on Monday evening when a one-minute siren will blare across the country. On Tuesday morning, a two-minute siren will sound ahead of national memorial ceremonies at Israel’s 52 military cemeteries.
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.
Fifty-nine soldiers were killed during their military service since Israel’s last Memorial Day, according to figures released by the Defense Ministry on Friday.
Another 86 disabled veterans died due to complications from injuries sustained during their service. The numbers brought the total to 24,213 of those who have died during service to the country since 1860.