Initiative to hold ceremonies for lone soldiers abroad
While there are memorial services for lone soldiers who died defending Israel all over the country, one group wants to bring these official ceremonies to the soldiers' home communities abroad.
There have been several enormous funerals for lone soldiers who have died in defense of the Jewish State over the last several years. Now, the “All for One” organization is calling for official ceremonies to commemorate these fallen soldiers who left everything behind, both in Israel but also in their countries of origin.
In an exclusive interview with Ynet, Ofer Inbar of All for One discussed why he is calling for these ceremonies to take place.
Ynet: What is it that you are actually trying to do?
Inbar: There have been more and more lone soldiers falling in the defense of Israel over the last several years. The state of Israel only pays for one of the parents to fly to Israel (to visit their child) once a year, and will pay for only one of the brothers or sisters (of the soldier) to come visit once every five years. We don’t believe that this is enough, because these soldiers have close family and friends who also live abroad (who are unable to visit the soldier). We believe that the time has come to do something, and that ceremonies should be held in these communities.
Ynet: Meaning you want that the community in which the soldier grew up in to hold a memorial service?
Inbar: While it is true that these communities themselves are the ones who instilled a love of Israel (within these soldiers), and are the ones who instilled within them the will to join the IDF, I believe that we need to give (the soldiers) the minimum, which is to hold an official ceremony.
Ynet: So what are they doing now? Their home communities aren’t holding memorial ceremonies?
Inbar: They aren’t holding them to the same standard as an official Israeli ceremony. We need to do something and bring over people – including MKs and officers, and do an (Israeli style) official ceremony. Those responsible for seeing this happen is the Israeli government, specifically the Minister of Culture.
Ynet: But you want to begin to collect money until the government decides to do something?
Inbar: Exactly. We are going to open up a Headstart account for people to donate money to. Just as we know that people attend the funerals – sometimes tens of thousands of people – we believe that we will succeed in making a statement on this as well. We will succeed in funding these ceremonies, and we will be in a position whereby we will be able to draw up legislation or at get a government decision on the matter by next year. We hope that the government will take the responsibility (for this).
