The three weeks between the fast of the 17th of Tammuz and the fast of Tisha Be’av are traditional days of mourning, but they are especially painful for the bereaved families who lost their loved ones during the Second Lebanon War, at this time of the year.
Israel National News TV joined the memorial service for First Lieutenant Amichai Merchavia. The ceremony took place the day after Prime Minister Olmert declared that he will not be a candidate for the leadership of his party. The bereaved families feel that Olmert’s statement came too late, and for the wrong motives.
David Einhorn, bereaved father of Yonatan, said: "This year we witnessed how our kidnapped soldiers, for whom the war broke out, came back in coffins. This brings up many questions regarding the purpose of the war. What were its accomplishments?"
"However," he said, "I hope that yesterday’s statement is the beginning of the end of he who should have taken responsibility two years ago and not wait till today when he resigns because of money issues. He should have resigned because of the blood, not because of the money.”