Hundreds of bereaved families: Cancel politicians’ speeches at Memorial Day events

Some 500 bereaved families have appealed to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant not to allow politicians to speak at this year’s Memorial Day events in military cemeteries around the country.

“Instead of speeches by politicians at the memorial ceremonies, let bereaved families from October 7 speak,” they say in a statement.

Every year, the Defense Ministry tasks representatives of the government and Knesset to speak at the various events. The families warn that amid societal tensions and amid the pain of the war and widespread anger at the government, the events could turn into political battlegrounds.

They stress they do not oppose politicians taking part, but suggest they not speak.

“We wish to keep the Memorial Day ceremonies free of politics and divisiveness,” they say.

Similar entreaties were made last year — at the time due to extreme divisions over the government’s efforts to overhaul the country’s judiciary — but Gallant did not accept them at the time. Some clashes were indeed reported during ceremonies, though events were mostly peaceful.