150 Palestinians Detained in East Jerusalem over 10 Days: Report
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Israeli forces have detained 150 Palestinians --including a number of children-- over the past ten days in occupied East Jerusalem (East al-Quds), the Palestinian Prisoner's Society told Ma'an Tuesday.
Nasser Qaws, the director of the prisoner's society's Jerusalem office, told Ma'an that the detentions took place from Sept. 13-22 during a period of fierce clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
He said that the majority of the detainees were between 13 and 20 years old, and added that a number of them had been assaulted before they were detained.
An Israeli police spokesperson was unavailable for comment.
Qaws said that the detentions reflected an "unprecedented" campaign against the Murabiteen and Murabitat, groups of Muslim worshipers that aim to "protect" the Al-Aqsa compound from right-wing Jews, where non-Muslim worship is forbidden.
Earlier this month, the Israeli defense minister banned the groups, which his office claimed were "a main factor in creating the tension and violence" at the compound.
Under the new legal conditions, anyone who organizes, finances or participates in the groups' activities could face trial.
Last week, the mosque compound was rocked by three days of fierce clashes over the Jewish new year holiday, with Israeli forces storming the compound to clear the way for Jewish groups celebrating the religious holiday.
Tensions are expected to remain high this week as both Muslims and Jews mark Jewish holidays.