The Shmeriz family condemned the High Court's ruling as a 'spit in the face' and a political decision that should not have been brought before the court, according to the family's statement.
The Shmeriz family issued a formal statement Sunday afternoon condemning the High Court of Justice's ruling as "a spit in the face" and a political decision, after the court rejected their petition to recognize Alon Shmeriz as an IDF casualty earlier in the day. The statement, attributed to the family, asserts that the matter should never have reached the court.
The court's ruling was first reported at 12:53 Jerusalem by N12 and N13, stating that the IDF's decision not to recognize Alon Shmeriz as a fallen soldier and not to transfer him to military burial did not exceed legal boundaries. The court acknowledged the family's pain but declined to intervene. In earlier reactions, Yonatan Shmeriz, the brother of the fallen civilian, called the decision "spitting in the face of the family" and accused the Defense Minister and IDF Manpower Directorate chief of political delay. The family's formal statement, issued later Sunday, echoes that condemnation.
The case centers on Alon Shmeriz, a civilian accidentally shot by IDF troops. The family has been seeking military burial and recognition as a fallen soldier, a status the court ruled the IDF is not legally required to grant.
The family's statement did not indicate further legal steps. The defense minister's office has not yet responded to the family's accusations.
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