Prison Service Commissioner Aharon Franko
Photo: Ofer Amram
Carmel fire: Over 40 killed in blaze
Israel Prison Service (IPS) guards who were killed in the Carmel fire disaster
received the Distinguished Service Medal posthumously on Sunday.
Speaking at the ceremony at Yad Binyamin, Prison Service Commissioner Aharon Franko told the families of the fallen guards: "In your eyes I saw the pain and in your voices I heard the deepest grief but the words you said were those of encouragement; from you I drew my strength to continue to lead this organization."
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Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch was also present at the ceremony. Some 44 people were killed in the disaster, the largest fire in Israel's history, including 37 Prison Service guards.
Speaking about the posthumous honor, Franko added: "It is the organization's right and its moral duty to its fallen sons and daughters who went out on a mission they never returned from; for those who were sent out to save lives and paid for it with their own lives."
This year marks the first time that the fallen IPS guards will be included in the Yizkor (remembrance) prayer in military memorial ceremonies.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved Sunday the move based on the recommendation of a special committee set up to determine whether to include the IPS fallen in the Yizkor prayer. The committee was made up of 29 representatives including bereaved parents.
"Adding the IPS fallen to the Yizkor prayer is part of legislation we are promoting on the issue of military cemeteries," Barak explained.
Yad Lebanim Chairman Eli Ben Shem called the decision "inevitable," adding: "For years now the police, Mossad, Shin Bet fallen have been illegally buried in plots intended for Israel's fallen. So, as part of the arrangement and recognition, they are also included in the Yizkor. It's a tough decision but it's logical."
Shahar Chai contributed to the report
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