Palestinian-owned bookshops raided in Jerusalem
Israeli police raided two branches of a renowned bookshop in occupied East Jerusalem early this week, seizing books and arresting the owner and his nephew. Mahmoud and Ahmed Muna were accused of selling books that incite terrorism, and later charged with disturbing public order. The family-owned Educational Bookshop is a Jerusalem landmark and cultural hub, and publishers, academics, and rights groups came out to protest and support the Munas and their shop. The rights watchdog B'Tselem said in a statement that "the attempt to crush the Palestinian people includes the harassment and arrest of intellectuals… Israel must immediately release [Mahmoud and Ahmed Muna] from detention and stop persecuting Palestinian intellectuals." The Munas were held for two nights and released on five days' house arrest—but the family re-opened the shop even before that.
"They want to make us afraid. Not just us, they want to send a message to all Palestinian people," said Morad Muna, Mahmoud's brother. He said the re-opening was "the best reaction that we can do to such a situation."
From The New Humanitarian, Feb. 14
Israeli raids on UNRWA schools in occupied East Jerusalem
UN secretary general Antonio Guterres on Feb. 18 condemned Israel's raids on schools operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem, calling them a violation of international law.
“The secretary-general condemns the breach of the inviolability of United Nations premises in occupied East Jerusalem, including the UNRWA training center, and the attempt to forcibly enter three UNRWA schools and seek their closure," his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said at a press briefing.
UNRWA commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini said Israeli forces fired tear gas and sound bombs while 350 students and 30 staff members were inside.
"The use of tear gas and sound bombs in educational environments while students are learning is both unnecessary and unacceptable," Dujarric added, stressing that Israel's actions violate its legal obligations. He reiterated that "the inviolability of United Nations premises must be respected at all times." (MEE)