HEBRON (April 1) - The burial of 10-month-old Shalhevet Pass, shot in the head by a Palestinian sniper at the entrance to the Avraham Avinu quarter of Hebron last Monday, will take place today in the city's ancient cemetery, ending demands by the girl's parents that the IDF conquer and evacuate the Abu Sneneh neighborhood from where the fatal shot was fired.
The funeral procession will leave from the Machpela Cave at 11 a.m.
For close to a week Pass's father, Yitzhak, who was wounded in the legs in the shooting, and mother Uriya had refused to conduct the funeral. They ignored requests by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who telephoned Pass on Wednesday to express his condolences and implore the family to allow the funeral to go ahead, and by Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Meir Lau.
Pass's murder generated headlines worldwide, and was used by Israel to alert the world to Palestinian terrorism.
On Friday, shortly after Pass was released from hospital, the Hebron Jewish Community announced that the funeral would take place today. A statement issued by the community said the purpose of the delay was to pressure the government into retaking the hills.
"Unfortunately, this has yet to be implemented," the statement said. "A weekhas passed and the point has been made, throughout the world. We will not allow the Israeli government to sit idly by while Arabs spill Jewish blood."
However, the statement continued, "It is now time to bring little Shalhevet toher final resting place. With the approaching Pessah holiday, the familyshould be allowed to fulfill the seven-day period of mourning."
The funeral procession will leave from the Machpela Cave at 11 a.m.
For close to a week Pass's father, Yitzhak, who was wounded in the legs in the shooting, and mother Uriya had refused to conduct the funeral. They ignored requests by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who telephoned Pass on Wednesday to express his condolences and implore the family to allow the funeral to go ahead, and by Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Meir Lau.
Pass's murder generated headlines worldwide, and was used by Israel to alert the world to Palestinian terrorism.
On Friday, shortly after Pass was released from hospital, the Hebron Jewish Community announced that the funeral would take place today. A statement issued by the community said the purpose of the delay was to pressure the government into retaking the hills.
"Unfortunately, this has yet to be implemented," the statement said. "A weekhas passed and the point has been made, throughout the world. We will not allow the Israeli government to sit idly by while Arabs spill Jewish blood."
However, the statement continued, "It is now time to bring little Shalhevet toher final resting place. With the approaching Pessah holiday, the familyshould be allowed to fulfill the seven-day period of mourning."
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