The High Court of Justice on Thursday, 1 Rosh Chodesh Adar 5778, heard a petition from the parents of Lt. Hadar Goldin, one of two IDF soldiers whose body was snatched during Gaza fighting and the remains are still being held. The parents of the soldier wish to have the court issue an order prohibiting visitation for Hamas terrorists imprisoned in Israel until such time their son’s body and the body of Sgt. Oren Shaul are released for kvura.

The court session also addressed Israel permitting Hamas-affiliated persons to enter Israel for humanitarian reasons – medical care. Prof. The Goldin’s were represented by Prof. Aviad HaKohen and attorney Oded Savorai. They called on the court to compel authorities to implement the cabinet’s entire decision and not just a portion, but the portion that also prohibits visitation to Hamas terrorists.

It was explained to the court that in recent weeks, visitation by families of Hamas-affiliated terrorists from Yehuda and Shomron. Hadar’s father, Prof. Simcha Goldin called on the court to order Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to use the authority of his office to bring home the body of his son, pointing out that to date, the prime minister has not done all he can.

Both Goldin and Shaul fell in combat in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge during the summer of 2014. Prof. Goldin pointed out he serves as a Lt.-Colonel in the reserves and he is well aware that at times, soldiers fall in battle. He added that his son was raised to understand that we all serve in the IDF and the prime minister is responsible to bring them home.

He also told the court that in a meeting with PM Netanyahu three years ago, Mr. Netanyahu promised him that bringing the boys home will be the first component of any agreement discussed with Hamas until such time they are home. In the interim, “We see Israel continue working to rehabilitate and assist Gaza”, but nothing is done to bring the bodies home.

The Goldins told reporters after the hearing that Hamas must learn the time that Israelis will continue providing medical care for them has passed. As such, from now until the bodies are returned, they should turn to Qatar, Turkey, Egypt or Jordan for medical care.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)