Bereaved Families Allege Political Exclusion From Memorial Ceremony
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Bereaved families represented by the "Din VeTzedek" Forum claim they were politically excluded from the main memorial ceremony at Yarkon Park. They are demanding an independent investigation committee and will hold their own ceremony at the Nova site in Re'im. The families feel they are being treated as "second-class bereaved" and that the Yarkon Park event is one-sided. Other bereaved individuals and survivors have also criticized the official ceremony.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Bereaved families claim deliberate political exclusion from the main October 7th memorial ceremony at Yarkon Park.
- The "Din VeTzedek" Forum alleges organizers refused to allow their representatives to speak at the national event.
- Families cite their demand for an independent, balanced investigation committee as the reason for their exclusion.
- They feel treated as "second-class bereaved" and are organizing an alternative ceremony at the Nova site in Re'im.
- Bereaved mother Galia Hushen called the Yarkon Park event "anti-national" and aimed at bypassing state institutions.
- Hostage survivor Rom Barsalavsky also reported being prevented from participating due to political reasons.
Hundreds of families who lost loved ones on October 7th, represented by the "Din VeTzedek" (Justice and Righteousness) Forum, have sharply criticized the organizers of the central memorial ceremony at Yarkon Park. They claim they were deliberately excluded and that organizers refused to engage with them or allow their representatives to speak, despite the event being presented as a national ceremony.
The forum stated they are protesting the treatment and the feeling of being considered "second-class bereaved." According to the families, the primary reason for their exclusion is their persistent demand for an equitable and independent investigation committee, balanced between the coalition and opposition, and including representatives of bereaved families and hostages, similar to the model used in the U.S. after the September 11th attacks.
The forum accused the Yarkon Park ceremony of being a one-sided political event that does not represent the full spectrum of bereaved families. In response, these families announced they would hold their own alternative march and ceremony at the Nova site in Re'im, the location of the battle against Hamas terrorists. They urged media to cover this event, which they stated would include all bereaved families without exception.
These claims join broader public criticism of the Yarkon Park event. Bereaved mother Galia Hushen, whose daughter Hadar Hushen was killed, harshly described the event as anti-national and designed to bypass state institutions. Hostage survivor Rom Barsalavsky echoed these sentiments, stating that they are prevented from actively commemorating their loved ones due to political considerations and the refusal to give a platform to those who do not align with the organizers' messages.
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