After the calls by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and Benny Gantz for restraint on Memorial Day while asking the citizens of Israel to "leave the political disputes outside the cemeteries", Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff has joined the united call for unity ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day and Independence Day. In an article published by Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, he also called to leave the controversy surrounding the Judicial reform out of the military cemeteries and official ceremonies.
In his column, Herzi wrote that "We must all respect the cemeteries and not turn them into an arena for debate. Memorial Day establishes a deep connection between the personal and the national. This year, precisely in the shadow of tensions, we must focus on personal memory and wrap ourselves in its human strength. The order of remembrance requires us to unite around it and focus on the link between us. We must all respect the cemeteries and not turn them into an arena of debate."
Halevi's uncharacteristic message for a Chief of the General Staff comes on the backdrop of a demand from dozens of bereaved families for government ministers not to participate in memorial ceremonies, and avoid coming to military cemeteries and give speeches during Memorial Day that will take place this coming Tuesday.
Just ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day, army chief calls on public to ‘focus on what connects us’ as months of protests overshadow upcoming national holidayshttps://t.co/jl0QdkMa8z
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At the end of his column, Halevi wrote: "There is a deafening power in restraint and silence, and communion with our fallen loved ones cannot take place in the silence of debate. At the moment of communion, each of us carries with us the image of a fallen person. During the ceremonies, we must reduce ourselves to the pain of her loss and cling to it as a shield from all other noise. Only To remember, to grieve, and to honor. Even if for a moment. Even if just for one sacred day."
As mentioned, Halevi's letter comes after last Friday Netanyahu, Gallant, Lapid, and Gantz signed a letter calling "to leave the disputes and protests outside the cemeteries on Memorial Day". The step was taken following an appeal to the four by the chairman of the Yad Labanim organization which focuses on preserving the sanctity of Israel’s fallen soldiers, Eli Ben Shem, who asked them to convey a message to the public. The Chairman who feared politics might disrupt the crucial national day, asked all politicians to unite for the sake of Israel’s fallen soldiers and civilians.
IDF chief joins Netanyahu, Lapid call to keep protest outside cemeteries: "It's on us to respect the cemeteries and not to turn them into arenas of debate," said IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. https://t.co/NkS2RAEC5F JPost pic.twitter.com/LgUYTKIRyJ
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It is noteworthy to mention that Yair Lapid, the current oppostion head and former Prime Minister already said he would not be at the 'crossover' ceremony that ends Memorial Day and begins Independence Day. His declaration was seen by many as a politicization of the event he claimed was being politicized by the governing coalition.
