Israel’s occupation army arrested 12 Israeli peace activists on Saturday afternoon, February 20, during a protest in Hebron to mark 22 years since the Ibrahimi Mosque Massacre. According to police, the arrests took place after the Israelis entered H1, the area of Hebron under the control of the Palestinian Authority, where Israelis cannot legally enter. Among those arrested were two independent Israeli journalists, working for Social TV and the Alternative Information Center. Four of the activists were held at a local police station for several hours. One Palestinian journalist was injured by a stun grenade, and received medical attention at the scene.

Occupation soldiers arrest peace activist Dr. Kobi Snitz during a protest in Hebron marking 22 years since the Ibrahimi Mosque Massacre, February 20, 2016. (Photo: Activestills)

Among the Israelis arrested were Professor Gadi Algazi, one of the leaders of Tarabut – Hithabrut and member of the Hadash secretariat, who spoke to the soldiers at the beginning of the protest, telling them that the Israeli activists came to “stand alongside the residents of Hebron, against the occupation, and against turning Hebron into a ghetto.” Moments after finishing his remarks, security forces began firing tear gas and stun grenades at the demonstrators and making arrests.

Hadash and the Communist Party of Israel strongly condemn the arrest and call for the re-opening of Al-Shuada Street (Street of the Martyrs) on which all Palestinian shops have been closed since 1994, and an end to the occupation.