(AKI) - Israeli police has denied the family of the so-called Palestinian 'car terrorist' to hold a traditional Arab funeral for their son on Tuesday.Qasim Salah al-Mughrabi, 19, an Arab Israeli resident of East Jerusalem on Monday rammed his car into a group of 17 people, mainly Israeli soldiers, in Jerusalem's Tzahal Square, close to the Old City's Jaffa Gate.
After al-Mughrabi's black BMW hit a wall, the youth was shot dead by one of the soldiers who reportedly feared he would restart the car and strike more people.
The family of the attacker claims al-Mughrabi did not have a driver's licence and that the incident was a traffic accident, reported Israeli daily Haaretz quoting Israel Radio. A report said al-Mughrabi had been in an 'agitated state' after a spurned marriage proposal. He had no previous security record, police said.
The police have reportedly barred the family from setting up the traditional Arab mourner's tent at their home. But the family has rejected allegations that al-Mughrabi belonged to any militant organisation.
The Palestinian news agency Maan reports that the attack was claimed by a group called Nisour al-Jalil, while the Palestinian militant organisation Islamic Jihad endorsed the attack.
| Terrorist or not, Pops, that's all the justification the Israelis need. |