Political division casts long shadow over Israel’s memorial day
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Loading... - Juarez Jose
- 25 Apr 2023
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Israel’s memorial day, in which those killed serving in the armed forces as well as terrorist attacks are honoured, is usually quiet and sombre; then, at sunset, independence day celebrations and fireworks begin.
But this year, as the country readies for the consecutive holidays, Israelis find themselves grappling with an unprecedented political crisis that has divided society and cast a shadow over what are supposed to be displays of national unity. A car ramming carried out by a Palestinian suspect with a Jerusalem residency on a busy street in the city on Monday afternoon, which injured five, added to the tensions.
Three ministers appointed by the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on his return to office at the end of last year at the head of a coalition of far-right and religious parties have pulled out of participating in memorial day ceremonies at military cemeteries on Monday. The decision came after pleas from bereaved families who feared this year’s events will be hijacked by politicians – or the 16-week-old protest movement against the government’s controversial plans for the judiciary. Read More…
