The Netanyahu government and the martyr's family are at loggerheads over the grave of an Israeli soldier killed during the fierce fighting in Gaza. The whole matter is about the cross mark on the grave. The Defense Ministry says that placing a cross on the martyr's grave will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Let us tell you that the soldier's family is of Christian origin, which came and settled in Israel in 2014. On the other hand, the martyr's family alleges that when they reached the grave, they felt insulted after seeing a black cloth over him. The martyr's mother says that the son who did not sacrifice his life for the country, injustice is being done to his dead body after his death.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Sergeant David Hogdanowski was killed in the fighting in Gaza in December last year. The Defense Ministry says in the matter that “as per the law, it is not acceptable to place a cross or any other religious symbol on a military gravestone.” “This is especially important in the Haifa military cemetery, where dead Jewish soldiers are also buried,” the ministry said. The ministry cited a ruling by the IDF chief rabbi, saying the crosses harm the sanctity of Jewish cemeteries.
The ministry said it is working with the public committee for the soldier's memorial to reach a settlement with the family. The ministry further said, “This is also being done in view of the requests from families who have loved ones of other people buried near it. They are claiming that the cross hurts their feelings and their faith to pray.
It was further said, “The Ministry of Defense mourns with the family of the martyred soldier David and their thoughts are with the family. We hope that we can reach an agreement and solution as soon as possible.”
Martyr's family also upset
The family said other graves in the cemetery also had religious symbols on them, N12 reported. David converted to Christianity from Ukraine in 2014. He served in the Combat Engineering Corps. Earlier this month, David's mother visited the grave on the October 7 anniversary and found that his gravestone had been covered with a black cloth, Ynet reported. “I can't put into words the humiliation I felt,” she said.
