Israel arrests Palestinian Authority's Jerusalem minister for fourth time

Israeli police arrested the Palestinian minister for Jerusalem affairs early on Friday for allegedly violating an Israeli ban on Palestinian political activities in east Jerusalem.

Fadi al-Hidmi was arrested at his home in the Suwaneh neighbourhood, near the Mount of Olives. His office circulated surveillance camera footage showing police searching his home with dogs.

Local media reported that the officers stormed his home, deliberately smashed his doors and confiscated 10,000 shekels (around $2,750).

It was the fourth time al-Hidmi has been arrested since assuming office in April 2019.

Israel has occupied east Jerusalem since capturing it in the 1967 war, annexing the city it in a move not recognised internationally. The Palestinians have stated they want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state, however Israel views the entire city as its capital.

Israel bars the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank, from operating in east Jerusalem or carrying out any political activities there.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said al-Hidmi was arrested "on suspicions of Palestinian activities in Jerusalem". He said police searched the home and confiscated documents as well as "large sums of money".