IDF to Go Ahead with Chevron Flyover

Hamodia Staff

YERUSHALAYIM – The IDF will hold a flyover above the city of Chevron on Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, despite some objections that the act would be inciteful.

The flyover, part of the Thursday’s celebrations, is scheduled to pass over Kiryat Arba and the center of Chevron and the adjacent Kiryat Arba at around 2 p.m., after flying over Yerushalayim, Bet Lechem and the Gush Etzion bloc, according to a map released by the Air Force on Sunday.

There had been some doubt as to whether the Air Force would go ahead with it, after  Meretz MK Mossi Raz, among others who don’t like the idea, called it “unnecessary and provocative.”

But the Yamina party issued an approving statement: “We’re also celebrating independence in Yehudah and Shomron, together with hundreds of thousands of residents, who for the first time will be able to see the flyover above their homes.”

Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv municipality called off its Independence Day fireworks show, partially due to military veterans suffering from PTSD.

Fireworks are major events in cities across the country on Independence Day, much like Fourth of July in America. “One of the things that influenced this decision was requests from soldiers with post-trauma that asked to cancel the show, as well as for people with disabilities,” explained Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai.