Wednesday, 31 August, 2011 | 18:46 | Wadi Hilweh Information Center – Silwan, Jerusalem
Both men are due to stand in the Magistrates Court tomorrow as well. These arrests are part of a broad Israeli campaign to round up young men and boys in Wadi Hilweh, on a pretext of attacking Israeli settlers. Police have faced problems getting charges to stick to al-Banna, however, with no evidence to show the courts. A family member told Silwanic that “this latest attempt at arrest should be be surprising at all. It’s common to arrest children in the middle of the night – even to beat them, for no reason.
It is also common for Israeli forces to take Palestinians during our celebrations such as Eid. Our family has a long history of being targeted by the authorities, on random unfounded charges, supported by non-existent evidence. We believe we will be able to prove Mahmoud’s innocence.”
Mahmoud al-Banna
Israeli troops outside the City of David settlement in Wadi Hilweh, near the al-Banna family home