Dr. Simcha Goldin, the father of IDF Lt. Hadar Goldin, told Israel Radio on Thursday morning 24 Sivan that he resents the fact that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and other state officials refer to him and others as “bereaved families” as if they are pained and unaware of their statements and incapable of seeing the bigger picture.

Dr. Goldin’s son and Sgt. Shaul Oren were killed in Gaza fighting in Operation Protective Edge and their bodies grabbed by Hamas. The families have spoken out harshly over the cabinet approving the reconciliation agreement with Turkey to the exclusion of bringing home the bodies. Dr. Goldin explains that the Prime Minister for the past two years has assured them the bringing home of the bodies for kvuras yisrael is a “national interest” yet Mr. Netanyahu’s actions do not back up his statements.

Goldin reflects back on that difficult motzei Shabbos when Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon and other officials including from the Chief Rabbinate came to his home. He recounts how they spoke of the need to accept a declaration his son is dead, promising no efforts would be spared to bring back the body and they used the words “national interest” in doing so.

“For a year-and-a-half we have been working with and cooperating with PM Netanyahu who speaks of the national interest, but now, with the agreement with Turkey we see this is not so” explains Dr. Goldin, who blasts PM Netanyahu and others for seeking to portray him and others are too emotional to address the issues at hand and too bereaved to have a valid opinion.

Dr. Goldin insists the agreement approved by the cabinet to resume diplomatic relations with Turkey is not in Israel’s national interest, adding “He (PM Netanyahu) could have returned [this week] from Rome with both the agreement in hand along with the bodies but he did not do this, simply settling for the agreement”.

Dr. Goldin announced he will not be meeting with President Rivlin today as planned as he is angered with the government’s dealing of the deal with Turkey.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)