Bereaved families launched a campaign on Wednesday demanding Public Security Minister Omer Barlev "apologize or resign" over remarks made to senior American diplomat Victoria Nuland about alleged settler violence and for comparing the "deadly Arab terrorism to some marginal events in the settlements."

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

The campaign, co-launched with the Samaria Regional Council, will include roadside billboards. If Barlev refuses to apologize, the families will demand that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett dismiss him.

The public security minister had told Nuland that Israel was working to tackle the alleged settler violence and was taking steps to bolster police presence in Judea and Samaria. He also said that efforts were directed to provide clearer instructions to Israeli troops on how to deal with attacks by Jews on Palestinians.

Despite a storm of criticism from bereaved families, Knesset members, and even fellow coalition members, Barlev refused to apologize.

"I understand that it is really difficult for some of you to look in the mirror and face [the fact] that extreme settler violence [has become an issue] on the international stage, with foreign governments taking an interest," he tweeted on Tuesday. I recommend that those who have difficulty [understanding this] drink a glass of water.

"I will continue to fight Palestinian terrorism as if there is no extremist settler violence, and extremist settler violence as if there is no Palestinian terrorism," he said.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, said, "A public security minister who compares Arab terrorism to marginal events in the settlements should not remain in office. This is a failure in values. A person who refuses to apologize and belittles bereaved families must resign … We launched the campaign because this statement by the public security minister could lead to disparagement in the attacks against settlers in Samaria and could harm the security of the residents.

"The government of Israel, inform Barlev [that he must] either apologize or resign," Dagan said.

Among the bereaved families are Yael Shevach, the widow of Rabbi Raziel Shevach, who was murdered in 2018; Tohar Yosef, the eldest son of Evyatar Borovsky – a 31-year old father of five – who was killed in a terror attack in 2013; Miriam Ben-Gal, the widow of Rabbi Itamar Ben-Gal, who was stabbed to death in 2018; Tamar Ettinger, the widow of Rabbi Achiad Ettinger, who was killed in a terrorist attack in 2019; and Itsik Abutbul whose wife Hadas was shot and killed by Palestinian terrorists in 2001.

Also on Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority expressed support for Barlev's statement, calling it "a step in the right direction and first official recognition by Israel of crimes committed by Jewish gangs against Palestinians."

Nevertheless, it said, "It is not enough. We call on the centrist and left-wing ministers in the government to end their silence and declare that they condemn and oppose settler terrorism and attacks on Palestinians, which will help create trust-building measures between Palestinians and Israelis and help create a suitable atmosphere for resolving the conflict."

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Bereaved families demand resignation of public security minister appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

On Monday, more than five after his brother Maj. Benaya Sarel was killed on Black Friday in Operation Protective Edge, David was getting ready to depart the most dangerous and volatile zone in Israel.

 Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

"I haven't finished with Gaza," David says. "This was a very challenging mission from every aspect – both in terms of the military combat and personally. This is the hottest zone in terms of ongoing security measures and daily missions. I don't know if I can say if closes a circle, but I had the privilege of returning to the place where my brother was killed. It gave me a lot of strength and reminded me that I didn't break, that my family didn't break. We are going on."

Q: How do you handle it? Do you look at Gaza every day and say, 'This is where my brother was killed'?

"Not exactly, because most of the day I don't think and I work like a well-oiled machine. But there are moments when you catch yourself, at morning or night, in the command center or on patrol, and suddenly you miss him."

David Sarel had been in the army for only 12 days when he was informed that his brother had been killed. That same morning, Benaya had called him, but David couldn't answer. Later, he was the one who opened the door to the local army liaison who brought him the life-changing news.

"It's easy to think, in retrospect, what I would do differently, but that's the way it is with every decision," he says.

"I don't regret the path I've followed, but I do regret that I suppressed what I was undergoing for so long. I went through something really tough and I chose to get back to my routine really quickly and continue with business as usual. Within two weeks, I was back to basic training with the Golani [Brigade], without any favors. Like everyone else. It helped me a lot at the time and centered me, but looking back I realize that I'm now dealing with a lot of things I had to work through then, and today the wounds are deeper."

In the past five years, David has undergone a major process. He finished officers training successfully, served as a commander at the Golani Brigade's commando school, then later as reconnaissance company commander. The past few months, he has been in charge of combat soldiers near Zikim on the southern coast, the northernmost part of the Gaza Strip – only a few kilometers from Ashkelon. On Monday, he and his soldiers left for training, and when that's done, they are slated for operations in another very tense zone – Mount Dov, in the north.

David is full of praise for his troops: "We have Spartans who are protecting the people of Israel," he says proudly.

"These are soldiers who are sacrificing their lives for them, very special people with a very strong sense of mission and devotion who handle this reality from a strong basis of values and combat spirit. It's amazing to look at my company and realize that everyone here has a common goal, to protect the people of Israel."

David's father has only visited him on the Gaza border once.

"My dad happened to be here. I saw it was very hard for him," David says.

Q: How did your parents respond when you told them you were headed for Gaza?

"My parents are heroes and are very adept at detaching some of their personal feelings and doing what needs to be done. I feel as if what I've chosen to do is hard for them in general, with the price they've already paid. They feel it every day. But at the same time, I'm sure that it also gives them a lot of strength."

Q: May you live to 120, but if I were in place of your family, I'd automatically think of the family of Miriam Peretz, who lost two sons in battle. Isn't that scary?

"No. I believe that every person has a role in this world. It's scary to drive, to go out, or be in the country at all … Aside from that, I can say that if I am ever asked to go into a situation where I have to sacrifice my life, I'll do it."

Q: Do you feel that your story has made your service different? Something bigger?

"I don't think I'm different from other people and the fact that my brother was killed doesn't make my blood any bluer or give me any privileges. There are a lot of people who understand the importance and the value of devotion, and anyone who serves under me and around me is like that. Indeed, not everyone has paid such a heavy price. I'm motivated both by values and ideology, which are the main reason why I'm here, but it's not just about values. You need to be good at what you do. I'm not here from a place of 'poor me' or ongoing suffering. I do it out of love, not out of a desire for revenge or because anyone is forcing me. Revenge is a very animalistic instinct, and it's not what motivates me. I'll do everything I can to defend Israel."

David says he wanted to serve in Gaza: "I needed to bring that to a close."

He is very honest, and doesn't hide the fact that sometimes he has a hard time with the fact that his brother was killed only a few kilometers from where he has been serving.

"There's something very sad about bereavement and grief: on one hand, a hole opens up, but on the other, with time a little sprout grows in that hole that softens the loss, kind of heals the wound. I admit that I'm kind of in denial about what happened, because I can say that if I focus on it, I won't be able to do what I do. I funnel the sorrow, the pain, the loss into action."

Q: Do you ever break down?

"Yes. I break a few times a day, but they're little breaks and I know that every one of them also comes with an uplift in spirit. I always remind myself why that's important. And when I look to my left and to my right and see the soldiers and commanders, when I look back and see the people of Israel backing us up, when I look at my family and my wife, my home and this country, I don't  have any more questions."

David is very frank about his feelings, and hides nothing. Not even things that aren't easy to hear. He sees that as carrying on Benaya's values and legacy.

"He was a legend, in life and in death, and I never go anywhere and tell people my last name without them telling me where he met them while he was alive. It warms my heart, and his memory has to guide me to a place of action.

"If I can touch one or two people, give them something and cause them to do something meaningful, the way Benaya would, then I've done what I had to – even if it demands a lot of effort and spiritual strength."

The post Brother of IDF major killed in Protective Edge follows in his footsteps appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The film, "Advocate," tells the life story of Tsemel, who has gained notoriety for her persistent defense of terrorists, including Abdel Aziz Salha, who took part in the 2000 lynching of two IDF reservists in Ramallah and was pictured in the infamous photograph waving his blood-soaked hands in the air.

Tsemel has also defended dozens of Hamas terrorists, as well as former Knesset minister Basel Ghattas, who was convicted of smuggling cell phones to jailed terrorists. Most recently, she represented the family of the terrorist who murdered and raped 19-year-old Ori Ansbacher in February.

The international film festival is held every year in Tel Aviv and is sponsored in part by the Culture and Sport Ministry.

The award includes a 70,000-shekel ($19,000) cash prize and an additional 150,000 shekels ($41,000) to promote the film as the Israeli candidate for an Academy Award.

"For the past five decades, Tsemel has been defending terrorists who've murdered a large number of Israelis, including many of our children, wives, husbands, siblings, and other relatives," read the letter from the Choosing Life Forum of Bereaved Families.

"The funding of this prize is a spit in the faces of bereaved families. It is shocking and horrifying that such a film could represent Israel in the Oscars."

In response to the letter, Regev criticized the award but did not address the families' request to cancel it.

"It is outrageous and irritating to have a film centered around Lea Tsemel, an attorney who represents, supports and speaks in the name of many who aim to undermine the very existence of the State of Israel. These individuals inflict terror on our soldiers and citizens and then enjoy the legal and public protection of Tsemel," said Regev.

Regev added: "A film that depicts her actions in a positive light is outrageous and condemnable and should not leave any Israeli citizen who cares about the future of the state indifferent."

This article is reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

The post Bereaved families outraged after documentary about attorney defending terorrists wins prize appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Shir explained Tuesday that currently, brothers and sisters of the fallen have no official standing. After a soldier is killed or a civilian dies in a terrorist attack, the victim's parents, spouse, and children receive notification. Siblings, however, do not. Siblings also do not receive official invitations to memorial ceremonies.

Shir noted that in cases in which bereaved siblings of fallen IDF soldiers require financial assistance to pay for grief counseling, they do not receive it automatically, although they can apply for help.

If the Knesset passes Shir's bill, the Defense Ministry and the IDF will be required to notify the brothers and sisters of any fallen soldier, police officer, border police officer, or member of Israel's other security forces, in addition to their parents, widow/er, and children. These instructions would also apply in cases of civilians who are killed in terrorist attacks.

The bill also proposes making the Defense Ministry legally responsible for paying the cost of psychological treatment for bereaved siblings who need it, as well as grants that would cover up to half the cost of a B.A. degree for bereaved siblings.

Eli Dabi, founder of Lenetzach Ahi, a group that supports bereaved siblings, and an active member of the Yad Labanim organization, said that "until now, bereaved siblings were invisible to the government ministries."

Dabi said that siblings receive all their information about their loss from their grieving parents, and if their parents are not alive, no one notifies them.

The post Bill seeks official status for bereaved siblings appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

This evening, when the Jewish state enters into a 24-hour mourning period for all the fallen soldiers and civilian victims of terrorism who have been killed since its inception, four new names will have been added to the list. Four new sets of spouses, children, parents and siblings will have earned the dreaded label of "bereaved."

Each will wish he or she could have turned the clock back to the minute before Moshe Agadi, Moshe Feder, Ziad al-Hamamda and Pinchas Menachem Pashwazman were murdered by missile fire that changed the course of their history.

Agadi, a 58-year-old father of four, was killed on Saturday night when a rocket hit his Ashkelon home. He had gone outside to smoke a cigarette and didn't make it back to the bomb shelter in time to avoid being struck by shrapnel in his chest and stomach.

Moshe Feder, a 68-year-old father of two from Kfar Saba, was killed on Sunday while on his way to Erez Thermoplastic Products, the plant near the Gaza border where he worked as head roofer. Feder's car was targeted by a Kornet anti-tank guided missile.

Ziad al-Hamamda, a 47-year-old Bedouin Israeli father of seven, was killed on Sunday by shrapnel to the chest when the factory where he worked in Ashkelon took a direct hit by a rocket.

Pinchas Menachem Pashwazman, a 21-year-old married father of a toddler, was killed on Sunday as well. A dual Israeli-American citizen, he was hit in the chest by shrapnel while running in the stairwell of an Ashdod building towards its bomb shelter.

Four Israelis, whose lives had nothing particular in common last week, are now indelibly linked in death. All slaughtered by bloodthirsty Palestinian jihadists bent on Israel's destruction. All forever connected by virtue of the latest, but by no means the last, onslaught from Gaza.

Four families whose names will always be noted and quoted together by virtue of their shared tragedy over the course of a single fateful weekend.

What they will not be, however, is forgotten. Unlike the terrorists with a grip on Gaza – who have spent the billions of dollars, euros and shekels earmarked for "rehabilitation" on deadly weapons, while using their people as hapless human shields and faceless cannon fodder – Israelis honor every individual casualty of war.

Indeed, reading aloud the names, ages and circumstances of the deaths of each will be part and parcel of the solemn events held in schools, community centers, parks and cemeteries across the country beginning tonight and continuing through Wednesday.

Two sirens will be sounded: the first, for one minute, at 8 p.m. on Tuesday; the second, for two minutes, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. When these sirens go off, everyone in the country will stand in silence, head lowered, to pay homage to Israel's fallen.

Undoubtedly, some people's hearts will jump at the sound, believing it to indicate yet another rocket barrage.

Though air-raid sirens rise and fall, while those used for mourning are monotone, it is hard at times for traumatized members of the public to distinguish between them. Just as many young children who were taught last week to stand in silence for Holocaust Remembrance Day mistakenly assumed the somber position when they heard the warning of an incoming blitz from Gaza, adults this week are likely to be confused in the opposite direction. The irony is as tragic as the situation is untenable.

Yet somehow, in spite of it all, Israelis continue to rank high on the happiness scale, and, according to a new study by the Israel Democracy Institute, a majority believes that the country's achievements outweigh its failures.

This cheer will be in full display as soon as Memorial Day ends on Wednesday evening and the country erupts into celebration for Independence Day. Fear of missiles and the act of mourning will be replaced by fireworks and dancing at night, and barbecues the following day.

While Hamas and Islamic Jihad plot their next assault on the Jewish state from their hell-hole in Gaza, we Israelis will be wishing our thriving democracy a happy 71st birthday with a vengeance.

This article is reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

The post Jihadi missiles, Israeli mourning appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The court upheld an appeal against Netanyahu's refusal, as Israel's defense minister, to grant entry to 176 Palestinians for Tuesday's event. The court ordered Netanyahu to grant entry permits for 100 Palestinians to enter Israel for the ceremony.

Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism begins on Tuesday night.

It is marked with mournful ceremonies and visits to cemeteries by bereaved. For the past 14 years an Israeli group, Combatants for Peace, have organized an alternative Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Ceremony that aims to "acknowledge the pain of those living on the 'other side,'" and brings together Israeli and Palestinian families bereaved by the conflict.

Israeli authorities had cited the precarious security situation amid rocket fire by Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza Strip and Israeli retaliatory airstrikes over the weekend, but the judges pointed out that Netanyahu's decision had been made before this weekend's escalation of hostilities along the Gaza border.

The judges noted that they had rejected a similar move last year to bar Palestinians from attending the ceremony.

Last year's commemorations were marred by then-Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's dispute with the event's organizers after he had barred bereaved Palestinian families from taking part in the ceremony.

Netanyahu said in a statement that the Supreme Court's decision was "wrong and disappointing."

"There is no place for a memorial ceremony comparing the blood of our people and that of terrorists," the prime minister said.

The post Supreme Court: Palestinians may attend joint Memorial Day event appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.