Initial talks begin over releasing body of 'Symbol of Intifada'
Talks begin between Israel and family of Armon HaNatziv terrorist to set conditions for releasing his body for burial; police say family unwilling to abide by terms of burial.
Alyan, from Jabel Mukaber in the capital, was one of the terrorists who murdered three Israelis in a deadly attack on the 78 bus in the Jerusalem last October.
Aylan, who on October 13, 2015 boarded a bus with fellow-terrorist Bilal Abu Ghanem, armed with guns and axes, was killed during the attack by security forces while Ghanem is currently standing trial.
Since the attack, which claimed the lives of Haviv Haim, 78, Richard Lakin, 76, and Alon Andrei Govberg, 51—and wounded several others - Alyan became one of the more prominent symbols of the escelation of violence. His legacy became one to which other like-minded Palestinians aspired and his actions transformed him into a role model worthy of emulation.
His family were since invited to lecture at a number of schools where they glorified his legacy and his actions.
At the beginning of the week Alyan’s family reportedly reached an agreement with senior officials in the Jerusalem Police regarding the return of the terrorist’s body. According to the agreement, only 30 people would be permitted to participate in the funeral and the burial site would be in one of the cemeteries in the Old City. The family also agreed to deposit a financial guarantee to ensure that it abided by the terms.
However, according to the family, the police reduced the number of attendees allowed and instructed that Alyan be buried in a different cemetery next to Wadi al-Joz As a result, so the family claims, these changes are the reason that no agreement has been reached.
The Jerusalem Police however, categorically deny that any changes were made to the conditions presented to the family.
Bodies of terrorists have been released in the past for burial after families have agreed to certain preconditions such as discrete funerals at night, the prohibition of incitement and the deposit if financial guarantees.
After the funeral of terrorist Alaa Abu Jamal from Jabel Mukaber turned into a display of hatred and incitement in May, with some 200 East Jerusalem residents crowding outside the cemetery and calling out "Allahu Akbar" and "In blood and spirit we will avenge you, shahid,” Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan instructed the police to stop returning terrorists' bodies to their families for burials.
As a result of the incitement another condition was added by the police, namely that they be the ones to select the location of the burial.
Erdan echoed the police statements that no changes had occurred on the Israeli side. According to the police, the family is simply unwilling to abide by the terms outlined by the police which accounts for the reason that Alyan will not be returned at this stage.
