Jerusalemites demand return of withheld bodies

Palestinians in East Jerusalem demanded on Friday that Israel hand over the bodies of Palestinians killed while carrying out attacks in the occupied city, locals said.

Clashes broke out with Israeli forces in the neighborhoods of Silwan, Issawiya, Jabal Al-Mukaber, and Shufat refugee camp after Palestinian residents held demonstrations calling for the return of the bodies.

In the Shufat refugee camp, demonstrators raised pictures of slain Palestinians and chanted slogans in solidarity with their families, Thaer Fasfous, a Fatah spokesperson in the camp told Ma’an.

Israeli authorities in October began withholding the bodies of Palestinians killed during attacks on Israeli military and civilians, the majority taking place in Hebron and Jerusalem.

Their return has since been determined by Israeli officials on a case-by-case basis, and many have yet to be turned over.

Shufat demonstrators marched from the camp’s Abu Obeid Mosque and made their way towards where the home of Ibrahim Al-Akkari once stood, Fasfous said.

Al-Akkari carried out a deadly attack on a Jerusalem light rail station last year and his family home was demolished earlier this week by Israeli authorities who believe the punitive measure will “deter” future attacks.

Fafsous told Ma’an that around 100,000 shekels ($26,000) had been collected throughout the day from Shufat residents aiming to help the Al-Akkari family rebuild their home.

Several in the refugee camp suffered from tear gas inhalation when clashes erupted following Friday’s march.

In Jabal Al-Mukaber neighborhood, Israeli forces fired stun grenades, tear gas, and rubber-coated steel bullets at demonstrators, locals told Ma’an.

Israeli officials have received criticism for continuing to withhold Palestinian bodies, with Palestinian member of Knesset Talab Abu Araron last month calling the policy “immoral and inhuman.”

The policy sparked protests in Hebron in October which eventually led to the return of five bodies. The decision to hold bodies — one among a series of measures criticized as collective punishment — was reportedly taken in order to curb mass-funerals of Palestinians that cause “incitement” against Israel.

This news item was first published on Ma’an news agency.