"May God avenge his blood" may now be added to gravestones of fallen soldiers
The Public Council for Soldiers' Commemoration, convened at Defense Minister Gallant's request, determined that the phrase is part of the Jewish tradition and thus permitted.
The Defense Ministry announced today (Tuesday) that its Public Council for Soldiers' Commemoration, convened at the request of Defense Minister Gallant, determined that the phrase Hashem Yikom Damo or "May God avenge his blood" may be put on the gravestones of fallen soldiers.
Having received this determination, arrived at by majority vote, Defense Minister Gallant approved the decision and said he would bring it before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for final approval, according to Israel Hayom.
This decision ends a months-long dispute as to whether parents are permitted to place the phrase on closely regulated graves made for fallen soldiers.