Scores of Palestinian and Israeli activists demonstrated in front of the Israeli Pathological Institute in Jaffa, demanding the release of the body of Basil al-Araj to his family. Al-Araj, a 31 year old renowned activist from the village of Wallajeh (near Bethlehem), had been a longtime organizer of direct actions against the Israeli occupation, such as the “Freedom Riders” of 2011. He had also been captured and tortured by the Palestinian Authority and had been pursued by the Israeli army since his release from the PA prison last fall. In the pre-dawn hours of 6 March, 2017, special Israeli forces raided a house in al-Bireh where al-Araj was hiding. Knowing he would not survive the raid, al-Araj resisted, and was shot and killed by the soldiers. Israel has been holding his body ever since, refusing to release to his family and let him be buried. The activists protesting in Jaffa demanded its immediate release without conditions so that his family and loved ones can mourn his tragic passing.

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