Gaza graves may move to Ashkelon

Sources close to the Disengagement Administration said Wednesday night the Authority is considering establishing a section in the Ashkelon cemetery for graves to be uprooted from Gush Katif. Ashkelon cemetery officials said they have not been informed of the plan, but Eli Yifrah, head of the city’s burial society (hevra kadisha) said there is room in the cemetery for the 47 Gush Katif graves slated to be moved. The issue is one of the touchiest surrounding the disengagement plan. “According to Jewish, as well as Israeli, law, a grave may not be moved within a year of the original interment,” said Yiftah. “This is for religious as well as health reasons,” he continued, and said several graves in question are less than a year old. One of the most serious issues concerning authorities is the possibility evacuation troops might have to use force to deal with bereaved families objecting to seeing the bodies of loved ones dug up. The current proposal is to establish a separate “Gush Katif” section in the Ashkelon cemetery for families who settle in and around the city following disengagement. Each and every family Several families have agreed in principle to the proposal. “With all the deep feelings, we will speak to each and every family, and we hope at least to come to an understanding on such a sensitive subject," said one source close to discussions. Yifrah said the opportunity to help the bereaved families is a mitzvah. Full cooperation Earlier this month, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, defense and disengagement officals said they would try to coordinate the grave removals with the families with each bereaved family. “No graves will be moved without full cooperation from the families,” said Sharon. “We must try to convince those who object, and to explain the importance of this move.” Disengagement Authority head Yonatan Bassi said “no graves can be left in enemy territory, but Sharon said the issue must be explained to each family in turn. One more spin Eran Sternberg, spokesman for the Gaza Beach Regional Council, said the issue is “one more spin meant to break us and weaken our struggle.” “In the framework of uprooting Jews there are no ‘grave removals,’ but rather ‘grave desecrations.’ "In the event that Sharon’s plan comes to fruition, God forbid, the Arab’s will have so much motivation to continue their struggle that we will need many more cemeteries in Ashkelon.”

Gaza graves may move to Ashkelon

Disengagement Administration to consider separate section in Ashkelon cemetery for Gush Katif graves; settlers: no grave 'removals', only 'desecration'