For many around the world the name of Israel’s first astronaut, Colonel Ilan Ramon z”l leads to one shedding a tear, for the late air force colonel found a place in the hearts of many Jews around the world as he exhibited a sense of mission when selected to represent Israel as its first man in space on a NASA flight.

For Ramon z”l it was not a personal success but he felt representative of the Jewish People, from the articles that survived the concentration camps that accompanied him to the questions on hilchos shabbos posed to Maran Posek HaDor HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita on his behalf, as he explained he wishes to represent all Jews by his inclusion in the Columbia flight.

While for most Jews his name brings a sense of pride this cannot be said for all members of Knesset, as MK (Ra’am-Ta’al) Dr. Ahmed Tibi remains adamantly opposed to the planned dedication of the new space center in the Israeli Arab municipality of Taibeh. Tibi feels this is a slap in the face to the Arab citizens since Ramon took part in bombing missions against his people in southern Lebanon and now the center in an Arab community is dedicated in his memory.

Tibi sent an angry letter to Science Minister Rabbi Dr. Daniel Hershkowitz, explaining that prior to becoming a NASA astronaut Ramon spent 24 years as an Israel Air Force fighter pilot, including his role in Operation Opera, the 1981 bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor in Osiraq. Ramon was the youngest member of the bombing team. Tibi points out that he also spent years taking part in bombing missions over S. Lebanon.

“I was shocked to discover that the space center in Taibeh will be named after Ilan Ramon,” Tibi wrote in the letter, adding “despite the Ramon family’s tragedy, we are talking about a fighter pilot who took part in air strikes on civilian populations during the first Lebanon war and in attacks in other Arab countries.”

“Dedicating a center in his honor in an Arab community is tasteless and unjustified and may hurt the feelings of its residents and the Arab public in general.”

Ynet adds that Tibi suggests that instead of dedicating the space center after Ramon, the government instead select an Islamic space scientist or instead of dedicating it in Ramon’s memory, call the new facility the Taibeh Space Center.

Hershkowitz accuses Tibi of “crossing a red line” and stated the planned naming/dedication will take place as planned, and the facility will carry the name of Ilan Ramon despite his objections. He added that Ramon was a hero, dedicating his life to fighting Israel’s enemies at home and abroad.

Ramon perished along with six other crew members of the ill-fated Columbia space shuttle which exploded in February 2003.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)