Legal Forum Protests Supreme Court Order to take Initial Steps Towards the Demolition of War Hero's Home (7.15.09)

The Legal Forum for the Land of Israel protested Israel's Supreme Court's decision to order the Defense Ministry to take preliminary steps towards the destruction of 12 homes in the Samaria town of Eli. One of the homes belongs to IDF Major Roi Klein who was killed in action during the Second Lebanon War. Klein's widow and children currently reside in the home.

The Legal Forum called on Defense Minister Ehud Barak to resolve any problems by making Klein's home legal, a status which is dependent solely on the Defense Minister's authorization.

"Will your hand, as that responsible for destroying the home of this hero of Israel, not tremble as you sign the demolition order?" said Nachi Eyal, director of the Legal Forum.

Klein was killed when he used his body to shield his soldier's from a grenade explosion. His last words were said to be "Shema Yisrael" ("Listen O'Israel [Hashem is Our God Hashem is One]"), the famous last words of many Jewish martyrs such as Rabbi Akiva and the Jewish prayer recited three times a day.

The Petitions to destroy the homes were brought by the leftist organizations Peace Now and Yesh Din.

More information:

Family of Golani Hero may lose Home (Jerusalem Post, July 17, 2009)