Dakar memorial
Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg
Ministers a no-show at Dakar memorial
'Politicians are too busy with the elections to remember 69 dead soldiers,' family member of sailor who died aboard naval submarine says
The government failed to send any official to represent the State at the 45th memorial service of the INS Dakar, Ynet learned Wednesday.
The ceremony was held on Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz, INF Chief Admiral Ram Rotberg and various top military officials attended the ceremony.
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The INS Dakar sunk in January 1968. Its crew of 69 perished. The whereabouts of the T-class submarine was unknown for 31 years, and was eventually found – 25 naval expeditions later – in 1999, 3km underwater, between the islands of Cyprus and Crete, in a spot that was on its scheduled route.
The ceremony (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)
The exact cause of the Dakar's sinking is unknown, but an analysis of its wreckage has derived that it was most likely the result of a technical malfunction.
"We're very disappointed. We understand that it's been 45 years, but we have to live with the pain every day," a representative of the bereaved families told Ynet. "I guess we don't really matter."
The INF Dakar (Archives: GPO)
Israel Shalev-Friedman, who lost his brother Joseph aboard the Dakar, added: "No one expected (ministers) to go as far as making a speech, but someone should have made an appearance."
"I guess they're just too busy with the elections," Nurit Manor, who lost her husband Dan, told Ynet. "I'm very sorry that not one of them could make the time. This is unreasonable and very sad."
The prime minister said that the matter was handled by the Defense Ministry.
The Defense Ministry was unavailable for comment.
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