The bodies of 10 Arab terrorists who tried to murder Israeli Jews — and in some cases succeeded — are being returned to their families. One has already gone.
Meanwhile, where are the bodies of IDF Lt. Hadar Goldin and St. Sgt. Oron Shaul? Still in the hands or dungeons of Hamas in Gaza…
But clearly last week’s meetings and lobbying actions by Balad Israeli Arab Knesset members Hanin Zoabi, Jamal Zahalka and Basel Ghattas were effective.
On Monday journalists were informed by government officials that the bodies of 10 terrorists are being returned to their families who live in Jerusalem.
All were killed while attacking Israelis during the current wave of terror.
In order to receive the bodies, the families had to agree to hold the funerals in the middle of the night, with a maximum of 50 family members and friends in attendance.
The ceremonies were to be quiet, and a monetary deposit of approximately $5,000 had to be submitted as a guarantee the conditions would be met. The family will not receive the money in return if the conditions are violated at burial.
The Defense Ministry made it clear, publicly, it has no interest in holding the bodies, Ynet reported. That’s ironic, since the body of Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon’s own nephew is one of the two still being held “hostage” in Gaza by Hamas, where both soldiers fell in battle during Operation Protection Edge in summer 2014.
Allegedly the terrorists’ bodies have not been released due to the opposition of the Interior Ministry and particularly Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who expressed his doubt the families would respect the conditions. Erdan emphasized his concern that terrorist funerals become displays of support and incitement for further terror.