Thousands attend funeral for Palestinian detainee

2013-02-25 11

Thousands gather in the West Bank village of Se'eer, near Hebron, for the funeral of Arafat Jaradat, who died in an Israeli jail on Saturday.

Tensions are on the rise after the inmate's death, causing clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops and raising concern over further confrontations.

Palestinian officials say the 30-year-old died after being tortured.

Israel said an autopsy, carried out with a Palestinian coroner present, was inconclusive.

It also wants Palestinian officials to restrain protesters, as anger over Israeli policies rises.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK REGEV, SPOKESPERSON FOR ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, SAYING:

"Israel expects the Palestinian Authority to act responsibly and to prevent incitement and violence that can only exacerbate the current situation.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) NOUR ODEH, DIRECTOR OF THE PALESTINIAN GOVERNMENT MEDIA CENTRE, SAYING:

"Settler attacks against ordinary Palestinians is on the rise. The raids of the Israeli army also against Palestinian cities and towns have increased sharply. That's in addition to the rising tensions inside Israeli prisons where a Palestinian detainee has lost his life."

Jaradat was arrested just one week ago for throwing stones at Israeli cars in the West Bank.

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