Government demolishes soldiers’ memorial just days after Yom Hazikaron

Emotions were intense this year as we went from Yom Hashoah to Yom Hazikaron.  The loss of so many hit most people especially strong this year.  Even though many homes were decorated from top to bottom with Israeli flags, it was quite difficult to make the emotional shift into Yom Haatzmaut.

Yet, today, just days after we reflected on the heroes who have fought and died for this country, the government decides to move ahead the demolition of a memorial to two fallen IDF soldiers.  The memorial was situated in Netiv Avot, a section of the Yishuv Elazar.  It was a simple wood pergola that overlooked the Judean hills, and was marked by two beautiful stone descriptions of Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Moreno and First Lieutenant Ezra Asher.

Even though motions to stop the demolition were filed with the court, the civil administration made the decision to expedite it’s destruction.  In an interview with Arutz 7, head of the Gush Etzion Regional council Moshe Saville, stated “It is absurd to destroy a monument situated on land the government intends to regulate and on which there is no claimant, but there are still officials intent on destroying it and performing an injustice to the dead soldiers’ memory.”

Unlike the demolitions we’ve seen recently in Amona and Ofra, there were no claims being made on the land where the memorial was built.  It’s destruction was absolutely senseless.

The Israeli public is tiring of the court’s bias, and the government’s lack of action to protect the rights of its citizens.  The left wing courts are known for their intense malalignment regarding all actions taken in the settlement regions.  It’s hatred for the people living in these areas, and for their ideals is clear.  But to target a memorial like they did today goes beyond any rational reasoning.