Israel questions Hamas minister

 

PA Minister for Jerusalem Affairs arrested by security forces, according to Palestinian sources. Shin Bet says he was questioned at roadblock
Ali Waked

 

Palestinian Minister for Jerusalem Affairs, Hamas' Khaled Abu Arafa, was detained by IDF forces north of Jerusalem, Palestinian sources in the city reported Thursday morning.

 

However, the Shin Bet security service said the minister was questioned at a roadblock because he wanted to enter the West Bank even though he carries an Israeli ID card. Notably, at this time, Israelis are forbidden from entering the West Bank.

 

According to Hamas, Abu Arafa was taken to the Maale Adumim police station.

 

The Palestinians said Abu Arafa was taken in for interrogation in an Israeli army jeep that stopped his vehicle while he was on his way to open Hamas' office in the town of al-Azariya. The sources say that was the reason for the arrest.

 

Palestinian parliamentarian Muhammad Abu Tir told Ynet the minister's arrest is another Israeli provocation and an attempt to undermine the new Palestinian government.

 

"I, too, was detained in the past, and in this case they will also release the minister after a few hours because there's nothing against him," Abu Tir said. "This is only one more way to disrupt our activity but the government and Hamas movement will continue to act on behalf of the Palestinians in the Jerusalem region."

 

Abu Arafa was detained several times in the past. However, if the reports are accurate Thursday's incident marks the first time Israel detains a Palestinian minister since the swearing-in of the new Palestinian government last week.

 

On Wednesday, the new Hamas-led government held its first session, which was dedicated mostly to internal Palestinian affairs and the severe financial crisis faced by the PA.

 

Efrat Weiss and news agencies contributed to the report