Pro-Netanyahu protesters picket family of fallen IDF soldier

"Dear Likudnikim who stood outside our window, our Tom was killed for you, too. We all deserve better," Anat Farkash said to the protesters.

By EVE YOUNG
Supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protest outside the District Court in Jerusalem, during a court hearing of his trial on criminal allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, July 19, 2020 (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protest outside the District Court in Jerusalem, during a court hearing of his trial on criminal allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, July 19, 2020
(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Protesters supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gathered Tuesday night outside the home of the parents of Capt. Tom Farkash, who was killed in action in the Second Lebanon War, Israeli media reported. The protesters were objecting to the Farkash family allowing anti-Netanyahu protesters to use their rooftop for protests, according to Maariv.
Those protesting the Farkash family could be heard saying “just because you lost a son doesn’t give you the right [to host protesters],” and “as long as you host anarchists on the roof of your home, we won’t give you the freedom of speech you are used to.”

In response to the protesters, Anat Farkash, Tom’s mother, wrote that while Netanyahu is a public figure, it was “shameful that Israel Police allowed protesters to stand outside the home of private citizens.”
To the protesters she said, “Dear Likudnikim who stood outside our window, our Tom was killed for you, too. We all deserve better.”
President Reuven Rivlin responded to the incident saying that it was "not a protest. This is not our way... Just look and say out loud: this is not our way, and we will not be silent."

“As someone who has himself experienced the agony of loss, Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu has been careful his whole life to respect the sense of loss of families of the fallen, and that is how everyone should act –  from the Right and the Left,” the Likud Party said in a statement Wednesday afternoon, according to Walla.
“The Prime Minister strongly condemns any statement that is connected to loss, including the types of statements made in Caesarea.”
The party also commented on anti-Netanyahu protesters, saying that they are in violation of a High Court of Justice ruling, and that “everyone should respect [the ruling] that determines that it is forbidden to protest less than 300 meters from the house of a public figure, a ruling that is systematically broken outside the prime minister’s home in Caesarea.”
Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Tom’s father, Doron Farkash, and expressed his shock at the event. “I want to support him and Anat after protesters said shocking things against them simply because they hosted protesters against the prime minister. As someone who has lost many comrades in arms, I feel deep shame this morning. There are borders one does not cross. Division and polarization will get us nowhere.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid also responded, tweeting that “the ugly attack of Netanyahu supporters on the family of Capt. Tom Farkash z”l  is a new and disgusting low. We must stop the violent discourse that is tearing us up within. I call on Netanyahu to strongly condemn this ugly attack.”

Eli Ben-Shem, chairman of Yad Lebanim, an organization that supports bereaved families and commemorates fallen soldiers, responded saying that “the fallen must be removed from political discussion. Comments from either side of the political spectrum violate the respect of the fallen and hurt the believed families in Israel.”

Farkash was killed in 2006 when his Apache Longbow attack helicopter crash-landed and burst into flames north of Safed near the Lebanese border.
Sarah Ben-Nun contributed to this story.