Tonight, the eve of 8 Adar 5773 will mark the second yahrzeit since the massacre of the Fogel family HY”D of Yishuv Itamar in Shomron. Murdered in that heinous attack were Rav Udi (36), Ruth (35), Yoav (11), Elad (3), and Hadas (3 months) HY”D.

At the event a cornerstone for a new yeshiva dormitory will be set in place in memory of the victims. Srugim reports that in addition to the beis medrash and Sifrei Torah, 14 babies were named after the victims in the community, which came in addition to 20 born during the year following the attack.

Some of the rabbonim planning to take part in the Sunday night event include Rabbi Avichai Ronsky, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu along with Ministers Eli Yishai and Yaakov Margi of Shas as well as Ministers Yuli Edelstein and Yisrael Katz of Likud. Also planning to attend are MKs Naftali Bennett, Ayelet Shaked, Uri Ariel, and IDF Central District Commander Major-General Nitzan Alon and Yosh Division Commander Brigadier-General Chaggai Mordechai.

Kipa reports that a number of Hilltop Youths promise to protest the yahrzeit event because the IDF Central District Commander was invited to attend. Community rosh yeshiva and former IDF Chief Rabbi Ronsky promised them if they make good on their threat, he will summon authorities to have them arrested. Media reports add that at one point in the conversation Ronsky lost his cool, warning them Hilltop Youths if they disturb the event, their they will be beaten and “Their arms and legs will be broken”, adding he will have police standing by waiting to arrest them. The Hilltop Youths expressed shock over the threat made by the rav during the conversation.

Rav Ronsky told the media that the senior IDF commander is a most welcome guest at the memorial event.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)