Lt. Hadar Goldin’s family addressed Monday's reports on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to visit the family’s home and assured that all officials who expressed interest in visiting were rejected.
"All those who asked to come, including elected officials, received the same answer," the family clarified.
"The Prime Minister consulted the family over the possibility of a visit and was told that they prefer to keep the event private to only close family members," an official close to Netanyahu said.
Hadar Goldin’s kidnapping and return
Hamas terrorists killed Goldin in an ambush during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge while he was dismantling a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
Born in Kfar Saba, he served as a commander in the Givati Brigade. His remains were abducted by terrorists in Gaza and kept there for 11 and a half years.
His parents, Simcha and Leah Goldin, fought a stubborn and uncompromising public and diplomatic struggle to return him to Israel, something that finally came to fruition when the Institute of Forensic Medicine identified him on Sunday.
"We do not give up on anyone in the country, ever," his family said when news of his return became public.