Head of group for fallen troops warns of potential violence at Memorial Day events

The head of a memorial organization for fallen Israeli soldiers warns of potential violence at official Memorial Day commemorations next week, amid deep societal divisions over the government’s plans to overhaul the judicial system.

Eli Ben Shem, the chairman of Yad Labanim, says his group has been contacted by thousands of bereaved families asking that politicians be prevented from attending memorials on April 25.

“Politicians who didn’t serve in the military will come to some cemeteries, and the families already said if they do, they will be pelted with eggs at the entrance,” Ben Shem tells Channel 12 news. He noted that some families “think otherwise and want politicians to come,” and that therefore Yad Labanim is not taking a position.

He expresses concern there could be violent scenes, citing “very big threats from here and there,” without elaborating. “I’m afraid there will be violence, that they won’t allow politicians to speak,” he adds.