Israel rearrests Palestinian lawmaker for allegedly promoting violence

Palestinian lawmaker Khalida Jarrar was also arrested in 2015 for similar charges.

Palestinian parliamentarian Khalida Jarrar (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian parliamentarian Khalida Jarrar
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Israeli security forces rearrested Palestinian lawmaker Khalida Jarrar early Sunday morning in Ramallah for alleged increased involvement in promoting violence.
Jarrar is a senior member of the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which Israel, the United States, Canada, Australia and the European Union consider a terrorist organization.
In December 2015, Jarrar was sentenced to 15 months in prison after being convicted of incitement to violence, membership in an illegal organization, participating in illegal protests and violating a travel ban. She was released in June 2016.
“She was arrested following her involvement in promoting terror activities through the PFLP,” the IDF said in a statement on Sunday morning.
In addition to Jarrar, security forces arrested 10 others whom the IDF Spokesman alleged “were [also] participating in terror activities.”
Palestine Liberation Organization leader Saeb Erekat slammed Israel for the arrests, saying they are “a part of a premeditated and continued campaign” against the Palestinian leadership and people.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said that the arrests “will not dissuade [the Palestinian people] from continuing the Jerusalem intifada and its valiant resistance.”
Barhoum also charged that the arrests could not have happened without security cooperation between Israel and the PA.
Jarrar is one of 13 Palestinian parliamentarians in Israeli prison, many of whom are being held under administrative detention.
The IDF said that Jarrar’s arrest was “not connected to her membership in the Palestinian parliament.”
Jarrar, a frequent participant at protests against Israel and its policies, is a former director of Addameer, a prisoner advocate group.