Martyr or terrorist? Arab sector conflicted over Tel Aviv gunman

The end of the week-long manhunt for Tel Aviv gunman Nashat Milhem, resulting in his death, saw conflicting responses within the Israeli Arab sector, with some denouncing his acts and others praising him as a "shahid" (martyr).

Milhem was found Friday in his hometown of Arara, in northern Israel. Once surrounded by police special forces, he attempted to escape and opened fire at the troops. They returned fire, killing him.

Ahmed Milhem, one of the gunman's relatives, told Army Radio Sunday that the family had no contact with Nashat during the week prior to his death.

"We're still shocked that they [the police] found him inside the community. He wasn't walking around freely. I still can't believe they found him here. Everyone can breathe easy now," he said.

Another relative, however, told Israel Hayom that several relatives knew Milhem was hiding in Arara, and supplied him with food and clothes.

Shortly after news broke that Milhem had been killed, hundreds of Wadi Ara and Arara residents gathered outside his hideout, shouting slogans of support for his actions and vowing to avenge his death.

Protesters chanted, "We'll never forget the shahid Nashat's heroism," and, "With blood and fire we will redeem Nashat the shahid," and shouted expletives aimed at the Israeli security forces and the government.

"The people who condemn Nashat and his actions are doing so out of fear. Many of us sympathize with his actions. We're Palestinians, and we support the Palestinian struggle any way we can," one of the protesters told Israel Hayom.

Palestinians in the al-Ram village just outside of Jerusalem set up a mourners' tent in Milhem's honor, covering the walls with photos of the dead gunman against the backdrop of Al-Aqsa mosque.

Palestinian media reported Milhem's killing as the "death of a shahid," and in the Gaza Strip, hundreds attended a rally in his honor while Hamas leader in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh lauded the shooting attack.

Also over the weekend, Milhem supporters blasted the Palestinian Authority's Health Ministry for first stating he was the 150th fatality since the onset of the current wave of terrorism and then dropping his name from the list. The criticism was so sharp, the ministry had to release a statement saying the move "does not mean Nashat Milhem is not a shahid. On the contrary, he is one of the most revered shahids."

Meanwhile, Israel Hayom has learned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to convene a meeting with all Arab mayors, to formulate a plan to improve law enforcement in Arab communities, including seizing illegal weapons.

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said Saturday that some plans to seize illegal weapons in Arab communities have already been put in motion, adding their results could be evaluated within a year.

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