As of Thursday evening, more than 20,000 people had signed a petition aimed at reversing a Supreme Court decision to tear down 11 houses in the Jewis Samarian town of Eli, including one belonging to the widow and young children of Second Lebanon War hero Roi Klein. Major Klein died in battle when he jumped on a grenade, saving his soldiers. He was posthumously awarded the IDF's highest award, the Medal of Valor.
The petition calls on the government to authorize the Klein family home and allow it to remain standing. The home was built within the municipal boundaries of Eli, and sits on state land, the petition notes. Authors also noted that the Supreme Court has refrained in the past from demolishing the homes of terrorists who murdered innocent people in attacks. A soldier who gave his life to protect others should not be treated worse than a terrorist, they said.
Organizers hope to gather at least 100,000 signatures. Almost 2,000 were reported adding their names every hour. The petition will be sent to President Shimon Peres.