Yonatan Shmeriz, brother of fallen soldier Alon Shmeriz, said the Supreme Court's decision upholding the Defense Minister's rejection was 'spitting in the face of the family' and accused the Defense Minister and Head of Manpower Directorate of delaying recognition for political reasons, according to N12.
Yonatan Shmeriz, brother of fallen soldier Alon Shmeriz, directly accused the Defense Minister and Head of Manpower Directorate of delaying recognition of Alon as a fallen IDF soldier for political reasons, according to N12. Speaking after the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the rejection, he said the officials could have decided the matter long ago, and called the ruling "spitting in the face of the family." He added that he respects the court's decision but called it a warning sign for soldiers: "The state is with you until you criticize its leaders."
The Supreme Court's decision was published at 12:53 Jerusalem, rejecting the family's petition for military burial. Almost immediately, Yonatan condemned the ruling as "abandonment by the state." The thread of reporting shows the progression: first the court's ruling, then the initial reaction, and now the specific accusation naming the defense minister and manpower chief.
As The Zioneer reported, Alon Shmeriz was accidentally shot by IDF troops. The family had sought recognition as a fallen soldier, which would have granted a military burial. The Defense Ministry and Manpower Directorate have the authority to grant such recognition. The Supreme Court upheld the rejection, ending the legal avenue.
The accusation of political delay remains unconfirmed. The Defense Minister and Manpower Directorate head have not yet responded to the claims. The family's legal battle appears to have reached its conclusion.
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