Palestinians held for attending celebration
RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territory — Four Palestinians have been detained for attending a Jewish holiday celebration in a West Bank settlement, according to Palestinian officials.
A senior Palestinian security official said Sunday that “any Palestinian co-operation with settlers is viewed as violating the law, as he co-operates with the enemy.” He spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Palestinians, along with the international community, object to Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, areas captured by Israel in 1967. With nearly 600,000 Israelis now living in settlements on occupied lands, the Palestinians say their goal of establishing an independent state alongside Israel is rapidly vanishing.
Thousands of Palestinian labourers in the economically depressed West Bank continue to work in menial jobs in the Israeli communities.
The four Palestinians were arrested Thursday after attending a Sukkot celebration in Efrat. During the holiday, it is customary for Jewish hosts to invite guests for meals inside a tent-like structure meant to symbolize the dwellings that ancient Israelites used during 40 years in the desert after being released from slavery in Egypt.
Efrat Mayor Oded Revivi called on the Palestinian Authority to release his guests.
“It is absurd that having coffee with Jews is considered a crime by the Palestinian Authority,” he said.