Israel Arrests Palestinian Minister for Violating Ban on Political Activities

Arab World

April 3rd, 7:20am

Asharq Al-Awsat

People walk in the main market in Jerusalem while Israel tightened a national stay-at-home policy following the spread of coronavirus disease in Jerusalem March 20, 2020. (Reuters)

Israeli police arrested on Friday Palestinian minister for Jerusalem affairs, Fadi al-Hidmi, for allegedly violating an Israeli ban on Palestinian political activities in east Jerusalem. Hidmi was arrested at his home near the Mount of Olives. His office circulated surveillance camera footage showing police searching his home with dogs. It said they confiscated 10,000 shekels (around $2,750). It was the fourth time he has been arrested. Israel bars the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank, from operating in east Jerusalem or carrying out any political activities there. Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Hidmi was arrested “on suspicions of Palestinian activities in Jerusalem.” He said police searched the home and confiscated documents as well as “large sums of money.” Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally. The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state. Israel views the entire city as its capital.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2214236/israel-arrests-palestinian-minister-violating-ban-political-activities