Despite protest, Goldknopf refuses to step back from Memorial Day ceremony at cemetery

Several bereaved families from Kiryat Gat have called on Housing and Construction Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf, head of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, not to attend the upcoming Memorial Day ceremony at the city’s military cemetery, but the minister has indicated that he will attend regardless, Channel 12 reports.

In a letter addressed to the minister, the families wrote: “We, several bereaved families from Kiryat Gat, ask you in every way possible not to attend the Memorial Day ceremony for IDF fallen soldiers in Kiryat Gat.”

“We believe that someone representing groups in Israeli society who refuse to bear the burden of military service cannot stand before bereaved parents and speak on a day that is so sacred to us,” they added.

In light of recent tensions over military draft exemptions, the families wrote, “We would prefer that you invest your time in recruiting yeshiva students and not come to the cemeteries to speak to the bereaved families.”

In response, close associates of Goldknopf tell Channel 12 that “no negotiations are underway to replace him” and that he fully intends to attend the event.

Last year, Goldknopf was also assigned to the Kiryat Gat cemetery, sparking outrage among many bereaved families. However, he ultimately respected their wishes not to attend.