The three Supreme Court justices headed by Court President Esther Hayut, ruled on the petition for the approval of Palestinians entering Israel to participate in the Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has banned the 13th annual alternative Memorial Day ceremony, which he calls “a desecration”, explaining “I will not lend a hand to the desecration”. The event is a joint Israeli-Palestinian event for the fallen soldiers and victims of terror, including Palestinians who feel reconciliation is a desired and obtainable possibility. Lieberman added, “This isn’t a remembrance ceremony, but a display of bad taste and insensitivity, which offends the bereaved families, and they are dearer to us than anything else.”

In light of the decision, Combatants for Peace organization and the Forum of Bereaved Families petitioned the High Court of Justice. The justices accepted their petition and in effect canceled the decision of the Minister of Defense.

In their decision, the judges ruled: “Permits to enter the joint ceremony were made possible in previous years, in accordance with the legal notices and the procedures of the respondents, and the professional level of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories believed this year that Palestinians should be allowed to attend the ceremony.”

It was further ruled that the Defense Minister’s decision does not take into account the reality created over the years and the legitimate expectations created by the participants in the ceremony, and even completely ignores the harm to the bereaved families and the public.

“Therefore, the court ordered that special entry permits for Israel should be allowed for participation in the joint ceremony for 90 Palestinians, similar to the number of permits allowed in 2016, subject to a specific examination regarding security or other reasons.”

Defense Minister Lieberman responded to the judges’ ruling: “The High Court of Justice created this morning a tie between bereavement and terror, between murderers and the murdered. The court’s decision affects the most national and uniting day for the people of Israel. The end result: instead of unification, division.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)