Six Palestinians charged over Islamic State ties
Israeli police say an Islamic State cell was uncovered in a refugee camp and that the detained men had been planning attacks in Jerusalem
A member of the Israeli border police frisks a Palestinian man at Damascus Gate (AFP)
Published date: 2 October 2016 14:32 BST
|
Last update: 8 years 1 month ago
Israeli authorities have charged six Palestinians suspected of belonging to the Islamic State group and of plotting attacks, police said on Sunday.
The alleged IS cell, operating out of Shuafat refugee camp in occupied East Jerusalem, was "preparing a series of attacks mostly in Jerusalem," police said in a statement.
Police said those arrested were a religious and ideological leader and other members tasked with preparing attacks, without naming the suspects.
The arrests followed a six-week operation, police said.
Several Palestinians and Palestinian-Israelis have travelled to neighbouring Syria to join IS, but authorities say the group's influence has been limited in Israel.
The Shin Bet internal security service, however, said in recent months that some Palestinians who have carried out attacks were apparently inspired by IS.
In a recent poll, 88 percent of Palestinians said IS does not represent Islam.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
