Seven members of PA (Palestinian Authority) security forces, residents of Yerushalayim, were detained by Israel Police earlier in the week, the Ma’an news agency reports. They are accused of affiliation with PA forces, which is a violation of the law. The suspects appeared before a Jerusalem court for a remand hearing on Tuesday.

According to their attorney, Saleh Ayoub, they were picked up in a move by Israel to apply pressure on Ramallah after the latter announced a stepped up boycott against goods and working in settlements throughout Yehuda and Shomron. Ayoub stated Israeli officials have been aware of the suspects’ affiliation with PA security agencies for quite some time and have now decided to act in a politically motivated move.

A spokesman for Israel Police quoted anonymously in the report stated he is unfamiliar with the detention of the suspects.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)