West Bank: Israeli Settlers Exhume Palestinian Body Under Threat
"Either you take the dead body away right now or we'll use a bulldozer to remove him from the grave and dump him for you." — Mohammed Asasa, son of the deceased
The Incident
On Friday, Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank exhumed the body of Hussein Asasa, an 85-year-old Palestinian man, from a cemetery near the settlement of Sa-Nur. Armed with weapons and spades, the settlers opened the grave and forced the family to remove the body themselves, threatening to use a bulldozer if they did not comply.
Prior Coordination Ignored
The Asasa family had coordinated the burial in advance with Israeli security forces, who granted them just 30 minutes to bury the deceased. During the funeral, settlers shouted and heckled. Shortly after burial, they began digging up the grave. Israeli soldiers were present but did not force the settlers to leave.
Family Account
Mohammed Asasa, the son, described the confrontation:
"The settlers told us: 'Either you take the dead body away right now or we'll use a bulldozer to remove him from the grave and dump him for you.'"
Official Responses
The Israeli military stated that soldiers confiscated digging tools from the settlers and remained at the site to "prevent further friction." It condemned actions that violate the dignity of the living and the deceased.
Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights Office for the occupied Palestinian territory, called the incident "despicable" and an example of the "constant failure" of the Israeli military's obligation to protect Palestinians.
Broader Context
- The settlement of Sa-Nur was re-established in 2023 after being evacuated in 2005 under an Israeli disengagement plan.
- The Asasa family has buried their dead in the cemetery for generations. After the settlement's return, the family required permits from the Israeli military to access the cemetery.
- Since October 2023, attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank have increased significantly. Settlement building has accelerated, and perpetrators are rarely prosecuted.