Victims of past air disaster: Don't send chief rabbi to Romania
Parents petition against appointment of Rafi Peretz as IDF chief rabbi due to his role as pilot in 1992 disaster, slam decision to send him to identify bodies of soldiers killed in Romania helicopter crash
During the same week that saw six air force soldiers lose their lives in a helicopter crash in Romania, the parents of those killed in a separate air disaster continue their legal struggle against the appointment of Rafi Peretz as IDF chief rabbi. Peretz was involved in the cable disaster of 1992 and today is responsible for identifying the bodies in Romania.
"Anyone who errs in the IDF is promoted. I would never send him to Romania, that's crazy," said Leah Tzuriano whose son Gil was killed in the disaster in which Peretz was the helicopter pilot. "He failed precisely regarding the supreme value, saving human lives. Is this the message we're giving IDF soldiers? Values in our state have been lost."
"Someone who failed to save a life cannot eulogize fallen soldiers," said Maya Nussbaum-Rosenberg, mother of Assaf who was killed in the disaster. "He failed in his duty and should not have gone to Romania. It isn't right."
Two soldiers from Rescue Unit 669 were killed in the 1992 disaster when the cable lifting them to the helicopter broke. The parents claim that Peretz, who was piloting the helicopter, failed to assist the wounded, but a committee set up to investigate the incident accepted Peretz's explanation.
Tzuriano (R), Shraga and Nussbaum-Rosenberg (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
In response to a claim submitted last May, the State Prosecutor asserted that all relevant factors were considered when Peretz's appointment was being discussed, and that the decision was reasonable and does not warrant court intervention.
"The irony is that 18 years after the cable disaster, the one personally involved now represents the highest moral authority and goes to Romania with the IDF," the parents' representative, Att. Eliad Shraga, said. "This is a script that even Satan couldn't have written better. We hope the court will change things."
Judge: 'This is a different case'
During the court debate, Shraga raised this issue before the judges. "In my opinion, all the warning lights are buzzing to remind us what the norms in the IDF should be," he said. "To our sorrow, fate decided that 18 years after the disaster, the one going out to identify the bodies (in Romania) is Rafi Peretz, who failed his soldiers 18 years ago."
"We all read the papers, but that is one thing and this is another," Judge Miriam Naor responded. "We will not take this issue into account."
During the debate, the judges criticized Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi who did not meet the families of the fallen in light of the appointment.
"What would happen if the chief of staff would invite the parents to a meeting?" Naor said. "It hurts that this has not yet happened."
"Is there a willingness to meet with the defense minister and the chief of staff?" Judge Uzi Fogelman asked.
"The parents don't need the caresses of the chief of staff," Att. Shraga replied. "If he wants to listen to us just to sympathize, we don't need the meeting. This case is about principles."
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