Arab MKs demand official inquiry into desecrated graves case

MKs outraged by IDF's behavior, calling it sadism. 'IDF turns toddlers into arch-terrorists, gravesites to ticking bombs' says MK Tibi. MK Khenin calls on attorney general to launch official inquiry
Roee Nahmias

Tuesday's report of IDF soldiers desecrating Palestinian graves in a village near the West Bank city Hebron outraged many Arab MKs.

"This is pure sadism. The IDF turned toddlers into arch-terrorists and gravesites into ticking bombs," said MK Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al).

Earlier Tuesday, Palestinians accused IDF soldiers of desecrating graves and allegedly locking three children, ages one to four, in a car for six hours, in the Merah-Bakar village located south of the West Bank city of Hebron.

Controversy

IDF forces accused of desecrating Palestinian graves / Ali Waked

Residents of a village south of Hebron say soldiers disturbed graves during arrest operation. 'When terror organizations operate in populated areas incidents like these can happen," says IDF

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IDF sources denied locking the children in a car, but confirmed that a heavy vehicle accidentally disturbed a grave.

"Those troops' commanders are directly responsible for what happened… these crimes will continue to occur as long as the Israeli society continues to back them up in the name of false security… these acts are a daily thing and only a small part of them is exposed," added Tibi.

MK Dov Khenin (Hadash) called on Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to launch an inquiry into the events in Merah-Bakar.

"We have to investigate these allegations thoroughly and prosecute anyone involved in disturbing graves or harming toddlers.

"When breaching human rights goes from being the exception to being the rule, the leadership must be held accountable," said Khenin.

Hadash chairman Mohammad Barakeh also condemned the incident.

"The Israeli occupation army is led by a culture of terrorism. Apparently its not enough for this army to torment lives, now the dead too are being barbarically tormented. Imprisoning children and innocent people to satisfy the evil nature of the occupation reminds us of the dark days of World War II. Whoever permits such military operations is a criminal and we promise they will be prosecuted."

MK Nissan Slomiansky (National Union-NRP), on the other hand, defended the army's actions.

"It can't be that the terrorists use citizens, children and civilian residences to hide weapons to hurt Jews. The IDF is obligated to protect the Jewish people, even at the price of entering (Palestinian) civilian territory, and even at the cost of accidentally damaging a grave. Jewish lives cannot be abandoned, and the IDF must continue its operations."

Amnon Meranda contributed to the report