Israel Approves Adding 'Kidnapped' to Gravestones of Fallen Soldiers

Israel's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, chaired by MK Boaz Bismuth, has approved an amendment to military cemetery regulations that will allow the addition of the word "kidnapped" to the gravestones of fallen soldiers, along with the date of abduction when relevant. This change addresses requests from bereaved families whose loved ones were kidnapped and subsequently murdered or killed while in captivity.

Previously, military gravestones followed a uniform format detailing the fallen soldier's identification and circumstances of death. The new regulation permits the inclusion of the fact of abduction within the standard inscription. If the date of abduction coincides with the date of death, only the word "kidnapped" will be added. If the abduction occurred on a different date, that date can also be specified on the gravestone.

The amendment was fast-tracked following appeals from families seeking to commemorate their abducted and killed relatives. In July, the Public Council for the Commemoration of the Soldier recommended approving the addition, a recommendation accepted by Defense Minister Israel Katz. The Ministry of Defense emphasized the urgency of the approval, noting families' desire to have the inscriptions ready before the annual commemoration of the October 7th events.