From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Gantz asks government not to politicize Memorial Day ceremonies
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Ahead of Memorial Day, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz appeals to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government not to politicize the commemorations.
“We are on the eve of our most painful day as a nation. And at this moment, this day hurts even more,” the former IDF chief of staff posts on Instagram.
“I appeal to all citizens of Israel and first of all to the Israeli leadership: let’s stop for one day, and leave politics out of the cemeteries and off the networks,” he writes.
“During ceremonies, in the sensitivity we show each other, and in our behavior as public leaders that affects families from all parts of society in Israel, public leaders must commit to to speaking cleanly, without insinuations, without provocations. If there is one thing that is sacred, it is this day when we must embrace the [bereaved] families. We must do everything to not cause any family more grief.”
Gantz’s statement comes after the government had changed several ministers’ assigned Memorial Day appearances following an outcry from bereaved families. Among those who have generated controversy are Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf.
Despite protests, Goldknopf, the head of an ultra-Orthodox party currently pushing for large-scale military service exemptions for yeshiva students, has declined to withdraw from a ceremony at the Kiryat Gat military cemetery despite requests from bereaved families that he do so.
Last Memorial Day, the first since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, the ceremonies were marked by clashes, protests and heckling.
The Times of Israel Community.