""Thought Police": He asked to read a scroll in the ancient synagogue in Gaza and was arrested

March 25, 2024   

A right-wing activist working to restore Jewish settlement in Gaza contacted the police a few days ago with a request to examine the possibility of reading the Book of Esther in an ancient synagogue in Gaza. >>> Public transportation on Purim: How will you get home from Jerusalem? • All the details The proposed resolution is expected to be submitted to the government for approval tomorrow. Police representatives who spoke with the activist on their own initiative tried to dissuade him from his intention and promised him that they would return an official response from the IDF to his request. The activist did not receive an official response to his request and last night (Sunday) was arrested by police detectives in the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem - from where he was taken for questioning at the Sderot police station, after which he was arrested. During his questioning, the police informed him that he was being detained for the offenses of violating a legal order, violating a closed military area, and disturbing public order - all this while the activist was, as stated, at the Purim celebrations in Jerusalem and did not violate any legal order or provision. A hearing will be held today at the Ashkelon Magistrate's Court on the police request to extend his detention. Attorney Daniel Shimshilishvili is representing the activist on behalf of Honenu. Attorney Shimshilishvili: "In the midst of the Purim holiday, the Israel Police is bothering to send its best forces to shamefully arrest my client, while he is celebrating at a Purim party, in full view of everyone, like the last of the criminals. My client acted lawfully and with complete transparency in dealing with the police. Despite this, the police chose to arrest him and take him a long distance to the Sderot station. "Needless to say, my client did not violate any law and only requested approval in principle for a future action that he did not actually carry out. This is a police force full of thoughts. It is unfortunate that instead of allowing all Israeli citizens to celebrate the Purim holiday, and especially in this complex year, the police are engaged in a random persecution of right-wing activists. I am confident that the court will order my client's immediate release." The 'Return Home' movement, which works to restore Jewish settlement in Gaza, said: "While in Kaplan left-wing activists are burning tires and blocking traffic routes without hindrance, on the pro-Jewish side of the map, a man was arrested for submitting a request to read a scroll in the ancient synagogue in Gaza while being threatened with administrative arrest. "The activist was arrested only because he insisted on receiving an official answer, which, strangely enough, the police firmly refused to provide, even though by law the police must provide an answer on the government website. This time, the people of Israel are determined to truly decide and win, to occupy and settle the Gaza Strip.".