By Aryeh Savir
JERUSALEM – Unrest was recorded Monday, May 5, when Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu began to speak during the state ceremony for the terror victims, as several in the crowd got up holding red scarves representing bloody hands, and others shouted at the Prime Minister, protesting his release of Arab terrorists. The protesters were removed from the scene and calm was restored, and Netanyahu continued with his speech.
Koby Kimchy, whose father Ramy Kimchy, aged 57, was murdered in a suicide attack which occurred in 2002, was one of those waving a scarf.s. He told Tazpit News Agency why he demonstrated: “We felt compelled; we felt a responsibility to represent our fellow bereaved families by raising ‘red hands’ which represent the release of terrorists by the Prime Minister, a move which should not have occurred. After many months of frustration this was an expression of emotions. Netanyahu stated that the release of terrorists is unjust – how does that make any sense?”
Kimchy felt obligated to voice his protest, and knows the Prime Minister witnessed it, but believe it will not affect the Prime Minister: “Netanyahu heard the shouts and got the message, but I don’t believe he will change his policy. As far is I’m concerned Netanyahu has lost the right to sit on the Prime Minister’s chair. I hope that next year the entire crowd well get up and walk out on him”
Kimchy, who is the founder and head of the One Heart Foundation which supports terror victims, told Tazpit that as he was taken out by security. others joined him in protest.
Shai and Elad Oddeser, whose father and uncle were murdered by terrorists in 2002, were among the protesters. Their father’s murderers were released as part of the deal for the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. “I have tried to contact Netanyahu and meet with him on numerous occasions, but to no avail. This is the first time I was able to express myself to Netanyahu, in front of him. He has no right to say to us ‘I am with you’. That’s a lie, he doesn’t understand our pain,” says Shai.
All three spoke about the painful transition from Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day, to the Yom Ha’atzma’ut, Independence Day, celebrations. “I don’t celebrate,” shared Kimchy. “Yom Ha’atzma’ut celebrations are something I did with my father, and so I don’t go out.” Shai goes out for his children: “Before I got married I did not go out. I go out for them; they don’t need to suffer because of me.”
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Aryeh Savir is a staff writer for the Tazpit News Agency in Israel. He may be contacted via en@tazpit.org.il