Chaos at ceremonies: Mourners confront government members during speeches

Mourners yelled out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he spoke at a ceremony on Jerusalem's Mount Herzl, and one man flew an Israeli flag that said "7.10" on it as he spoke.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana and Israeli president Isaac Herzog at a state memorial ceremony for victims of terror, at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, May 13, 2024, during Memorial Day. (photo credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana and Israeli president Isaac Herzog at a state memorial ceremony for victims of terror, at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, May 13, 2024, during Memorial Day.
(photo credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Family members of hostages and Israelis confronted ministers who represented Israel’s government at Remembrance Day ceremonies around the country Monday morning.

Among other incidents, a fight broke out among mourners during National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s speech at the military cemetery in Ashdod, after some protested his speech, Israeli media reported.

Mourners interrupt Netanyahu's speech

Mourners yelled at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he spoke at a ceremony on Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl, and one man flew an Israeli flag that said “7.10” on it as he spoke, according to Israeli media.

Einav Zangauker, mother of the hostage Matan Zangauker who is still being held in Hamas captivity, confronted Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, asking him to save those hostages who are still alive, Kan reported.

 A state memorial ceremony for victims of terror, at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, May 13, 2024, during Memorial Day which commemorates the fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror.  (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
A state memorial ceremony for victims of terror, at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, May 13, 2024, during Memorial Day which commemorates the fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Smotrich responded saying, “We are committed to bringing [the hostages] back and we are acting to do so.”

Mourners interrupted Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf’s speech in Rehovot chanting “shame,” and Health Minister Uriel Busso was confronted as he spoke at a military cemetery in Petah Tikva.

A man, who identified himself as a bereaved brother, yelled at Busso that there are “132 hostages in Gaza and soldiers you are abandoning in Gaza,” as others in the crowd yelled at him that it was not the place to protest.

“How are you not ashamed?” he yelled as soldiers escorted him out of the ceremony. “You have come here to cause division and hate on this holy day.”