From the Liveblog of
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Netanyahu, Gantz, Lapid sign pledge to keep political rifts out of Memorial Day events
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. 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"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other national leaders have signed a public pledge to “preserve the sanctity” of Memorial Day for the country’s fallen soldiers and terror victims.
“The last few months have been some of the most difficult that the State of Israel has known since its establishment 76 years ago,” says the letter, composed by Yad Labanim chairman Eli Ben-Shem.
“Many families have joined the bereavement family and this is their first Memorial Day. God forbid we add to the pain during these difficult days.”
“For their sake, so that we may be worthy of their heroism, their sacrifice and their memory, we call on you to leave the disputes outside the military cemeteries and avoid arguments over the graves of the young women and men.”
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid signed the letter on Tuesday, followed by Netanyahu, war cabinet minister Benny Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israel Hayom reports.
Some politicians and family members of victims of the October 7 Hamas massacre have asked government ministers and lawmakers to refrain from speaking at the various ceremonies on May 12-13, citing concerns that the day will be tainted by the presence of politicians, whom many blame for the failures surrounding the unprecedented Hamas terror assault.
The Times of Israel Community.