Bereaved families heckle ministers at Yom HaZikaron ceremonies

Memorial Day ceremonies across Israel were marked by grief, anger, and political tension on Wednesday, as bereaved families protested the presence of government ministers, leaders faced public outcry over internal divisions, and Druze citizens rallied for the protection of their embattled co-religionists in Syria.

At Tuesday night’s main ceremony at the Western Wall, President Isaac Herzog issued a stark warning against internal divisions, recalling his meetings with grieving families since the outbreak of war. “One message, one plea, one cry rose from every heart: lower the flames. Mend the hearts. Keep us one people. Enough! Enough division! Enough polarization! Enough hatred!” Herzog urged.

He also called to shield the Israel Defence Forces and security agencies from political strife, saying they must be “placed above all disputes.”

But tensions ran high on Wednesday.

Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter was met with chants of “Everyone Now” at Kiryat Shaul cemetery in Tel Aviv, while Social Equality Minister May Golan was shouted down as a “traitor” in Ramla. In Ashdod, mourners walked out as Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman began speaking.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, speaking at the police memorial ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, called for stronger measures against convicted terrorists, including the death penalty. “We will continue to build up the Prison Service to be powerful and firm,” Ben Gvir declared, adding that conditions for imprisoned terrorists have already been toughened under his leadership. “May it be that we achieve a death penalty law for terrorists,” he said.

And in Kiryat Gat, bereaved families expressed relief after Housing and Construction Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf canceled his appearance at a Memorial Day ceremony amid public protests.

In northern Israel, Druze demonstrators blocked a road and burnt tires demanding government action to protect Druze villages under attack in Syria. At least 12 Syrian Druze were killed in clashes with Sunni gunmen in the predominantly Druze town of Jaramana near Damascus.

Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, urged the government to intervene. “At this moment, the eyes and hearts of the Druze community are turned toward the attacks on Druze villages around Damascus,” he said during a Memorial Day address. “Israel must not stand idly by in view of what is happening at this very moment in Syria.” He also called on leaders to work toward “a better and more equal country.”

On Tuesday, the government was forced to make last-minute re-arrangements to avoid having Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Deputy Transportation Minister Uri Maklev appear in certain communities.

Remembrance Day honours deceased members of the military, police, intelligence, security and prison services, as well as civilians killed in terror attacks and other hostile acts. This includes Arabs, Druze, Bedouins, Christians and other minorities.

A nationally televised torch-lighting ceremony at Jerusalem’s Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery on Wednesday at sundown marks the transition from the sombre Remembrance Day to the joy of Independence Day. Authorities are considering cancelling the torch-lighting part of the event amid strong winds and a wildfire that broke out in the Jerusalem Forest.

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