Funeral for Captain Omri Tal killed during the Gaza war
Photo: Ofer Amram
Bereaved families demand memorial ceremony for Protective Edge fallen
Families say they have yet to hear from Defense Ministry about plans to commemorate their sons, despite the fact first anniversary is only a month away.
The first anniversary of Operation Protective Edge is nearing and the parents of the 66 IDF soldiers who lost their lives are worried the State of Israel has no intention of holding a state memorial ceremony for their children.
Angry parents whose sons were killed in the Gaza Strip last summer recently turned to Yad Labanim, an organization commemorating fallen soldiers, to complain that the Defense Ministry hasn't been updating them on plans to mark the one-year anniversary of the war next month.
Yad Labanim director Eli Ben-Shem sent a letter to Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot on behalf of the families.
Funeral for IDF officer Hadar Goldin killing in Gaza (Photo: EPA)
"The families are under the impression the Defense Ministry is not planning a state ceremony at all, and this despite of the fact the Defense Ministry and IDF decided to award a commendation to all of the fighters in the operation."
In his letter, Ben-Shem raised the families' demand to hold "a state memorial ceremony to the fallen of Operation Protective Edge, similar to state ceremonies held for other operations and wars."
The families are also demanding a monument is built for their loved ones near the areas of fighting in southern Israel, so they could visit the place.
"Everyone are stuttering and no one has any answers," Ben-Shem said. "Each operation and each war has a state memorial, while in a month it will be the anniversary and the families have yet to receive an invitation to such a ceremony."
Funeral of Sgt. Shahar Shalev who was killed in Gaza (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
Some of the bereaved parents believe the fact a memorial ceremony for Protective Edge fallen soldiers has not been scheduled derives from the Defense Ministry's concern the operation will be recognized as a war, a move that bears significant financial ramifications.
"We don't want to be told fables and for them to drag their feet," one of the parents said. "We expect a state memorial ceremony and a monument to be built in memory of our boys. This is the state's duty."
Funeral for IDF soldier Netanel Maman, who was killed from a rocket attack during the war (Photo: Avi Rokach)
"We demand a monument in memory of our children," said Tami Kedmi, the mother of Daniel Kedmi who was killed in Gaza. "Just as the helicopter disaster has been recognized and there is a monument in memory of the fallen, so should the Protective Edge fallen have. Unfortunately, as of now, we have not been approached by any state officials."
"We expect a monument on the southern border that could be seen from everywhere," another parent added. "For Hamas to see and remember the defeat it suffered. We won't beg for alms or fundraise. This is the State of Israel's responsibility."
The Defense Ministry said in response that, "the issue was raised in recent days. The defense minister instructed, as is customary in such cases, to seek the opinion of the Public Council for Commemorating Soldiers."
