When Yulia, the mother of Staff Sergeant David Bogdanovskywgho died in Gaza serving in the Israeli army visited his grave, she found his headstone had been covered. “Today, as I do every day, I visited Davidushka to light a candle and spend time with him.” she posted on Facebook. I was horrified to find they had placed a black cloth over my David, my hero, a hero of the State of Israel, concealing his tombstone and the cross. Words fail to express the humiliation I experienced…
“I stood there, weeping. I didn’t remove that black cloth out of respect for other parents’ feelings, understanding the pain that resides in the hearts of every mother, father, sister, and brother.”
The Israeli defence ministry has asked the family to remove the cross engraving. “’By law, it is not permissible to place a cross or any other religious marker on a military headstone,’”’ the Ministry said”’ reported in the Jerusalem Post.
“;This is especially important in the Haifa military cemetery, where fallen Jewish soldiers are also buried,’ the Ministry added, citing a ruling by the IDF Chief Rabbi that states the holiness of the Jewish cemetery is harmed by the cross.”
“The Ministry said it is working with the public committee for soldier memorial to reach an agreement with the family, ‘in light of requests by families whose loved ones are buried nearby who claim that the cross hurts their feelings and their ability to pray and say [the] Kadish [mourning prayer], and in light of the ruling of the IDF chief Rabbi.’
According to the Post story, the family told Israel Channel 12 that there are other religious markings in the military cemetery. Knesset member Meir Cohen called on the defence Minister Yoav Gallant to address this issue Israel Hayom reported “”This black cloth is a dark stain on Israeli society. IDF soldiers of all faiths fight side by side and, tragically, also fall together. I urge you to take immediate action, starting with a public apology and reaching out to the bereaved family. “It is imperative that we take decisive steps to safeguard the honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and protect the dignity of their families.”
Image: David Bodanovsky’s grave.Image Credit:Yulia Bodanosky Facebook via All isarel news