Israeli police arrested the Palestinian minister for Jerusalem affairs early Friday for allegedly violating an Israeli ban on Palestinian political activities in east Jerusalem.
Fadi al-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 ($2,750). It was the fourth time he has been arrested.
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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.
Palestinian officials said al-Hidmi was working to assist residents as part of their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Israel targets [those] who work for Jerusalem, even at such critical moments as we work to save our people's lives from COVID19," PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh tweeted, referring to the illness caused by the virus. "We demand his immediate release."
Israel Police Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said al-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." He said the arrest was not connected to any efforts to combat the pandemic, adding al-Himdi was released several hours later.
The European Union Representative Office in Jerusalem today condemned al-Hidmi's arrest.
"The arrest and subsequent release today of the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, Fadi al Hidmi is worrying," said the EU in a statement.
"This was his fourth arrest since he took office in April 2019 in addition to several interrogations. It is important to work together in this crucial time to face COVID-19 while continuing our efforts to fulfill the aspirations of both parties and to find a way through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states."
