_a.jpg "צילום: ירון ברנר")
Bereaved parents want singers banned
Families demand that Tel Aviv Municipality cancel participation of Ivri Lider, who only completed partial military service, in memorial ceremony for fallen troops. Musician Izhar Ashdot accused of 'dishonoring soldiers' memory' in song
Eli Ben-Shem, chairman of the Yad Lebanim organization, sent a letter to the Tel Aviv Municipality on Tuesday, explaining that many bereaved families were furious over the decision to allow Lider, who did not complete his full military service, to sing at the event in memory of their sons.
As for Ashdot, Ben-Shem argued that his song, "Inyan Shel Hergel," (a matter of habit) "dishonors fallen soldiers' memory."
At the moment, the Municipality has no plans to ban Lider and Ashdot from participating in the "Shirim Bakikar" (songs at the square) ceremony.
"Lider cooperates with the IDF voluntarily and takes part in reserve duty. As for Ashdot, according to the artist himself, he never had any intention of offending soldiers or the memory of the fallen," the Municipality said in a statement.
PR agent Ronit Arbel said on behalf of Lider that the singer had approached the IDF four months ago for voluntary reserve duty. "Lider trains military bands, and there is even a band in the IDF which performs with him in front of combat soldiers," she said.
Izhar Ashdot said in response, "Like many Israeli citizens, bereavement has struck my family repeatedly over the years. I see it as a privilege to participate in the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Soldiers ceremony in my city, Tel Aviv."
