Jerusalem
02 December 2008
The
bodies of six Jews killed in the attack on a Jewish center in Mumbai
are being laid to rest in Israel. Memorial services took place as
Israel tries to try to contain public criticism of the way Indian
commandos handled the raid on the Chabad House in Mumbai. VOA's Luis
Ramirez reports from Jerusalem.
The bodies of
six Jewish victims arrived in flag-drapped coffins aboard an Israeli
air force plane, late Monday. Also on board, two-year-old Moshe
Holtzberg, the son of slain Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka
- both of whose bodies were being buried at Jerusalem's Mount of
Olives, Tuesday.
Thousands of people attended funeral services.
Shneu Holzberg, the cousin of the late Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, told Israeli radio his grief is overwhelming.
He says he cannot sleep, and the pain is very strong. He says he is praying for the pain to go away soon.
The
attacks on the Chabad Jewish center in Mumbai have been a grim reminder
for Israelis of the security threats that they continue to face around
the world.
Along with grief, there is anger among some
Israelis. Newspapers here have been carrying stories of public
outrage, with some accusing India of mishandling rescue efforts.
The
head of Israel's disaster victim identification group - a
non-government agency, ZAKA - was quoted this week as saying Indian
commandos may have killed some of the Jewish victims at the Chabad
house in Mumbai.
The Israeli government has refrained from
criticizing India and has blasted ZAKA and others for making what it
says have been irresponsible comments. On Tuesday, Israeli foreign
ministry officials said ZAKA and others are jeopardizing Israel's
relations with India by suggesting Indian forces mishandled the assault
in Mumbai.