Bereaved Israeli families yell ‘Shame!’ at Ben-Gvir during his Memorial Day speech
Several Israeli ministers were heckled and booed during their speeches at military cemeteries.
Several Israeli ministers were heckled and booed during their speeches at military cemeteries as the nation mourned fallen soldiers and victims of terror on Memorial Day.
Air sirens blasted across Israel at 11am to commemorate the 24,213 fallen soldiers and 4,255 victims of terror since 1860.
This year’s Memorial Day was tainted by the deep divisions over the government’s controversial judicial reforms, which created the biggest societal crisis in Israel’s history.
In Beersheba, heavy security was deployed at the military cemetery ahead of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s arrival, with authorities only allowing grieving families to enter.
Clashes erupted outside the cemetery between bereaved families as Ben-Gvir held his speech, with police attempting to restore order.
Ben-Gvir, who’s among the most controversial ministers in the cabinet due to his history of racist remarks, had been asked by the organisation of bereaved families to stay away from the cemetery.
Unlike other ministers, who had also been asked to stay away and respected the wishes of the family, Ben-Gvir refused to cancel his appearance. Bereaved families were heard yelling “shame” and “you are not worthy” as he gave his speech at the cemetery. Other families were clapping at Ben-Gvir and cheering him on.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev was also heckled during her speech at the military cemetery in Holon, with bereaved families arguing with each other.
Several ministers heckled & booed during their Memorial Day speeches at military cemeteries across Israel. Bereaved families yelling “Traitor” at Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman in Kiryat Anavim. pic.twitter.com/3t16BCj4DK
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) April 25, 2023
In the city of Ra’anana, some families began singing the national anthem “Hatikva” to interrupt a speech held by Deputy Finance Minister and MK from Religious Zionism party, Michal Woldiger.
Similar scenes broke out at the military cemetery in Rehovot where Shas Health and Interior Minister Moshe Arbel’s speech was interrupted by shouts and heckling as well as singing of the national anthem.
Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman (Likud) was also booed as she spoke at the cemetery in Kiryat Anavim.
In the Druze town of Isfiya, Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel was blocked by protestors from entering the military cemetery. She returned two hours later when the ceremony was over, saying: “Their cry must be heard. There are people who are in real pain.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the official state Memorial Day ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, urging unity at a time when the nation has been torn apart.
“Today, more than ever, on the day we remember the heroes of the nation, we must remember that we are brothers: Jews, Druze, Muslims, Bedouins, Christians, Circassians. Brothers in service, brothers in arms, brothers in blood,” Netanyahu said.
President Herzog also spoke of the need for unity in Israel as he held a speech at the Western Wall on Monday night.
The siren this year, the intensely Israeli signature call, is a wake-up call for all of us. The siren that pierced the silence right now, making its way from one end of the land to the next, rattles our souls and makes way for remembrance, which overwhelms us with silence,” Herzog said.
“I ask myself; I ask us: what other country in the world has such a special sound? It is the sound of pain and of hope; of grief and of pride. It is the sound of the State of Israel,” the president added.
Deputy Finance Minister Michal Woldiger, from the Religious Zionism party, interrupted by families singing “Hatikvah,” the national anthem, at the military cemetery in Ra’anana. pic.twitter.com/1rMA7o8liX
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) April 25, 2023
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