Regev charges Rivlin’s decision to attend Memorial Day ceremony violates virus directives

Culture Minister Miri Regev lashes out at President Reuven Rivlin over his intention to attend the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Western Wall, which this year will have limited attendance due to the coronavirus.

“The president of the state is not above the law and can’t decide to violate government decisions and act against the directives of the Health Ministry,” Regev says in a statement.

She adds: “I regret that when bereaved families [of dead soldiers] are forced to refrain from going to cemeteries and memorial sites on Memorial Day, the president of the state decides not to listen to the Health Ministry directives and the government’s decision and chooses to violate the rules and directives that were approved.”

Rivlin’s office declines to comment on Regev’s statements or whether the president was advised against attending the ceremony by health officials.

— with Raoul Wootliff