Israel won’t release Milhem’s body ‘until family agrees to funeral demands’

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan says Israel will not release the body of terrorist Nashat Milhem until the family agrees to police demands that it ensure the funeral does not celebrate Milhem’s actions.

Milhem, an Israeli Arab from the northern town of Arara, opened fire on a Tel Aviv pub on January 1, killing two. He then escaped, killing a cab driver as he made his way back to his hometown, where he hid from authorities until last Friday, when he was killed in a shootout with police.

“When the family complies with the demands of the Israel Police, which are intended to ensure that the terrorist’s funeral does not turn into a rally in support of terror and incitement to further attacks — the body will be release,” Erdan says in a statement today.

“If that doesn’t happen,” he adds, “the release will be delayed until we can be sure these conditions are met.”