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In Case of Tragedy

IDF: Lone Ultra-Orthodox Soldiers will Decide who will Determine for them Where They Will Be Buried

Following the falling of a former ultra-Orthodox lone soldier on October 7, and his burial in a civilian cemetery at the request of his family - the IDF announces that lone soldiers will sign a document that determines who will make such decisions for them.

A military cemetery

The IDF publishes a letter this morning (Thursday), in which it responds to the association "Yotz'im L'Shinuy" ("Leaving for a Change") on the issue of burying lone soldiers from an ultra-Orthodox household, and states that soldiers without a family background will sign a special document in which it will be clarified who will make such decisions for them in the event of a disaster, as reported by Reshet Bet.

Bringing the issue up for discussion by the association comes after the falling of an ultra-Orthodox IDF fighter on October 7th, and at the request of his family, he was buried in a civilian and non-military cemetery.

The new guidelines in the IDF
The new guidelines in the IDF

The story caused many waves, both on the part of the general public and on the part of his friends who knew his opinion and claimed that his wish was to be buried in a military cemetery and that he was estranged from his ultra-orthodox past.

The association "Leaving for a Change" contacted the IDF with the story, and in the response letter this morning it was written: "From now on, there will be a proactive approach to lone soldiers without a family background who are from the ultra-Orthodox society. They will be made aware of the meaning of an address in the event of a disaster."

As one may recall, about six years ago, the IDF announced a change to the order of the General Staff stating that the IDF could conduct a military funeral ceremony in a civilian cemetery, and that the burial of the deceased would be determined by the family members he left behind.
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