Methodical searches and arrests of the premises of Palestinian cultural institutions continue to stir up a stir in the Palestinian artistic and intellectual world in Jerusalem. On Wednesday, July 22, Israeli security forces and intelligence services raided the premises of two pillars of Arab cultural life in the Holy City: the Yabous Center and its neighbor, the Edward-Said National Conservatory of Music. Their leaders, Rania Elias and her husband Souhail Khoury, were arrested along with Daoud Al-Ghoul, director of Shafaq, a network that brings together several cultural institutions in the city. If the first two were released the same evening, after twelve hours of questioning, the detention of Daoud Al-Ghoul was extended again on Sunday.
The Israeli police, the tax authority and the ministry of justice evoke an investigation for “tax evasion and fraud”. The search warrants also indicate suspicions of “terrorist financing”. Mohammed Maragha, administrative director of the Edward-Said Conservatory, however denounces searches and political arrests, denying any link with an organization considered terrorist by Israel: “When there is a problem with taxes, we send a summons to the public finance center. We do not stop people, we do not search by taking all the computers, it’s a bit violent as a method! “ The Yabous center had already been temporarily closed several times in the past, but this is the first time that the Israelis have intervened at the conservatory, explains Mohammed Maragha.
“These arrests are used to show who is the master in East Jerusalem”
In his small office a few steps from the Yabous center, Nasser Odeh, Daoud Al-Ghoul’s lawyer confirms: “These arrests are used to show who is the master in East Jerusalem”, in other words to reaffirm Israel’s sovereignty over the whole city. However, the international community has never recognized the annexation of East Jerusalem, the Palestinian part occupied since 1967. Nasser Odeh notes that his client’s detention has been extended for “Membership and support of an illegal organization. However, the interrogations relate only to his work with the Yabous center, artistic programs and activities, largely financed by European aid ”. The British consul in Jerusalem said to himself “Concerned” through arrests. Several European representatives, including the consul general of France, are expected to visit the two institutions this week to show their support.
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