High Court authorizes return of Palestinian terrorists’ bodies to families

The High Court of Justice ruled that the state can return the bodies of three Palestinian terrorists to their families for burial.

By: World Israel News Staff

The High Court of Justice on Monday ruled that the state can return the bodies of three Palestinian terrorists to their families for burial.

Two were shot dead by Israeli forces during terror attacks and a third during an arrest.

The court gave the ruling after studying confidential documents which led it to conclude that returning the bodies is consistent with a government decision in January 2017 not to return the bodies of terrorists who were members of the Hamas terror organization.

The Goldin family, whose son’s body is held by Hamas in Gaza, petitioned the court against the government’s decision to return the bodies.

IDF soldier Hadar Goldin was killed and abducted by Hamas during a battle with terrorists in Shajaiya during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident. The battle ensued hours after a UN-sponsored ceasefire came into effect.

The Goldins have repeatedly opposed any release of terrorists’ bodies if the move is not reciprocated by the Palestinians.