Boris Johnson faced criticism during his testimony at the Covid inquiry for showing "shocking disrespect" towards bereaved families by claiming it was unfair to expect him to stop parties held by "hard-working" aides in Downing Street during lockdown. He also dismissed media coverage and TV adaptations of the No 10 parties as "absurd" and "a travesty of the truth." Johnson defended his staff, stating they thought they were following the rules and were unfairly maligned. He rejected the idea that he could have done more to prevent the illegal events, arguing that staff did not properly understand the rules and were under intense pressure. Bereaved families and disability organizations expressed anger at his remarks.
Rami Elhanan, an Israeli, and Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian, both lost their young daughters to violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite their grief, they have formed a close friendship and joined the Parents Circle, a grassroots peace movement for families who have lost loved ones to the conflict. They believe that revenge and violence will only perpetuate the cycle of bloodshed and advocate for peace. Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, they emphasize the importance of choosing healing and reconciliation over hatred and revenge. They argue that everyone involved in the conflict is ultimately a victim and that killing more people will only lead to more killing.
One year after a deadly crowd crush during Halloween celebrations in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood, the families of the victims are still seeking justice and accountability. They accuse authorities of scapegoating their relatives as drug-affected and failing to hold an independent inquiry. No official apology has been given, and requests for talks with senior figures in authority have been ignored. The families believe that the government is hiding the truth and are demanding an independent investigation to reveal the facts surrounding the tragedy.
The Memorial and Independence Day events in Israel were marred by tension and violence, with the disintegration of Israeli society becoming increasingly apparent. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's systematic dismantling of Israel's core values is to blame for the situation, with military service and attendant bereavement being the latest value to be shattered. However, the public appearances of the chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi, stood out favorably, with his commitment to increasing the number of students in the periphery who receive lessons from soldier-teachers being a much-needed development.
Memorial Day ceremonies in Israel were marred by protests and disruptions as some bereaved families heckled government ministers attending the events. The protests were triggered by the government's controversial push to overhaul the judiciary, which critics say would weaken the country's democratic foundations. Some ministers were blocked from entering military cemeteries, while others were interrupted during their speeches. Despite fears of anti-government protests, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the main ceremony passed without incident.
Bereaved families clashed at the Beersheba military cemetery during a Memorial Day ceremony, as far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir attended despite calls from some families to stay away. The area surrounding the main stage had been blocked off, leaving some graves inaccessible, and security forces were present due to speculation of protests. Clashes broke out between attendees, and police officers worked to physically hold the sides apart as the clashes spread to nearby roads. The chairman of the Yad Labanim commemoration organization blamed Ben Gvir for causing the rift between bereaved families.
Israelis stood in silence to remember the nation’s fallen soldiers and terror victims on Memorial Day, as Israel’s leaders asked activists and others protesting the government to stand down, given speculation that a bruising political battle engulfing the country could distract from the solemn day’s commemorations. The run-up to Memorial Day has been fraught with concerns that deep divisions exposed by the government’s plan to overhaul the judiciary could overshadow the day’s rites, when the nation stops to remember the 28,468 killed in service to the state or the pre-state Jewish community since 1860, which also includes 4,255 victims of terror.
Israel's Supreme Court has ruled against Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's ban on allowing Palestinians to enter Israel from the West Bank to participate in a joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day commemoration. The court granted the petition unanimously, citing previous rulings that allowed Palestinians to enter for the event, subject to security checks. The ceremony has a declared goal and a clear message of reconciliation and peace, said Supreme Court President Esther Hayut. The 18th joint ceremony is scheduled for the eve of Memorial Day at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park.
Several ministers and Knesset members in the Israeli government have withdrawn from official Memorial Day ceremonies at cemeteries due to protests from some bereaved families. The protests were sparked by the government's now-paused judicial overhaul push, which has inflamed social divisions. Some bereaved family members have publicly called for government members who did not serve in the IDF to avoid attending the events. The political battle over proposed changes to the judiciary spilling into cemeteries and wreath-laying ceremonies on Memorial Day has sparked concerns that such activities could offend families and harm the sanctity of the day.
The Israeli government ignored a request by the organization representing bereaved families of soldiers to discuss changing the placements of ministers at Memorial Day ceremonies to avoid scenes of protests. The prospect of the political battle over proposed changes to the judiciary spilling into cemeteries and wreath-laying ceremonies on Monday night and Tuesday has sparked concerns that such activities could offend families and harm the sanctity of the day. Public figures have increasingly urged the public to keep politics out of the solemn day.
Israel's chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, has called for respect on Memorial Day and urged Israelis not to turn military cemeteries into a "scene of debate" amid heightened tension over the government's plans to overhaul the judiciary. There are concerns that ministers from the hardline government will be heckled and face protests while participating in upcoming Memorial Day ceremonies. Many bereaved families have called for politicians not to attend or speak at Memorial Day ceremonies at military cemeteries.
