Islamic head flies PLO, Syrian flags at Wadi Joz protest; 3 cops lightly hurt.
By ETGAR LEFKOVITSraed salah 248.88(photo credit: Associated Press)
Sheikh Raed Salah, leader of the Islamic Movement's northern branch, was arrested Wednesday morning at a protest against an archeological excavation near the Temple Mount, Jerusalem police said.
Salah, who reportedly waved Syrian and PLO flags, was one of two demonstrators arrested in the Wadi Joz neighborhood.
Wednesday evening, the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court prohibited Salah from appearing in public in Jerusalem with more than eight people, but rejected a police request to ban him from the city.
Salah's arrest was the latest in a series of run-ins with authorities over the last month, since the start of the Antiquities Authority excavation.
Police fired stun grenades to disperse the crowd after several protesters refused to relinquish their flags.
"This arrest and the police's violent behavior won't dissuade us from continuing our just and legitimate struggle," said Islamic Movement attorney Zahi Nujidat. He said Salah had not carried Syrian or PLO flags at the demonstration.
Salah has previously called for an intifada over the archeological dig. He is already under investigation for incitement.
Last month, the Jerusalem District Court ordered Salah to stay out of the Old City for two months after he scuffled with police near the archeological site. He is to be arraigned next week for assaulting the officers.
Salah said Israel was planning to damage the Aksa Mosque on the Temple Mount.
The archeological excavation is taking place ahead of the planned construction of a bridge to the Mughrabi Gate. It is dozens of meters outside the Temple Mount.
Salah has served a two-year sentence for security offenses, including financing Hamas activities.
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