Israel’s police have raided the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem, arresting two members of the family who own the business. The arrests came after a raid on Sunday, during which police claimed that books being sold at the shops were promoting terrorism and inciting violence. However, the lawyer for the two men said their detention was “political” rather than legal.
The Educational Bookshop has been a cultural cornerstone in East Jerusalem for decades, hosting foreign diplomats, authors, and providing readers with information on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The shop’s owner, Mahmood Muna, and his brother Ahmed were arrested after police found books that they claimed promoted nationalist Palestinian themes.
The raid was met with protests outside the courthouse where the hearing took place. Diplomats from nine European countries attended to show support for the two men, who are facing 15 days of detention and a ban from their bookshops. Human rights groups have condemned the arrests, saying they are another step in efforts to intimidate and silence Palestinians.
The raids reflect Israel’s increasing restrictions on free speech and cultural activities for Palestinians across the country. Since the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, Israeli police have arrested Palestinian citizens on charges of incitement to terror on social media. The arrests of Mahmood Muna and Ahmed are also part of this trend.
The Educational Bookshop has a long history of hosting talks, film screenings, and book launches, including one last July for the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Nathan Thrall. The arrest of the two men sends a strong message about police authority and impunity.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/world/middleeast/israel-east-jerusalem-bookstore.html