Under the directive of IDF Chief of Staff LTG Herzi Halevi, and with the approval of Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, Head of the Manpower Directorate MG Yaniv Asor appointed an advisory committee to the Chief of Staff to examine ways in which to recognize and honor hostages and civilians who participated in combat or were in unique situations during the war.
The IDF wrote in a statement that "the committee was appointed following the events of October 7th and the 'Swords of Iron' war, which raised complex and painful issues of bereavement, heroism, and memorial."
The advisory committee will examine the appropriate way to show recognition and appreciation, including the need to change the existing guidelines, in light of the unique cases of October 7th and its aftermath. The committee will make recommendations regarding the following matters:
1. Policy for recognizing the fallen as IDF soldiers in special cases.
2. Policy for honoring civilians in special cases in a combat environment.
3. The manner of recognition in individual cases, such as unusual circumstances of death.
4. Regulatory implementation of the committee's recommendations, including amendments to legislation.
MG Moti Baruch will head the committee whose members include the President of the Military Court of Appeals, MG Orly Markman, BG (res.) Asher Ben Lulu, Deputy Head of the Directorate and Head of the Soldier Commemoration Unit at the Ministry of Defense, Herzl Shmuel, former Head of the Casualty Department, COL (res.) Jocelyn Bash, Chairman of the Public Council to Commemorate Soldiers, Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, Rabbi Prof. Yigal Shafran, and Dr. Shimon Azulay.
The committee will begin its deliberations as soon as possible and submit its recommendations to the Chief of the General Staff by June 30, 2024.