Israeli Forces Raid Historic Jerusalem Library, Arrest Owners, and Seize Children Books
Occupied Jerusalem (Quds News Network)- Israeli forces stormed the Scientific Library in occupied Jerusalem’s Old City, seizing children coloring books and arresting its owners. They accused them of selling so-called “inciting materials” in an ongoing crackdown on Palestinians in the occupied city.
An Israeli court extended the detention of the library’s owners, brothers Mahmoud and Ahmad Muna, until Tuesday. The two were arrested on Sunday after Israeli forces raided their bookstore, according to Marouf Al-Rifai, an adviser to the Jerusalem governor.
During the raid, Israeli forces seized books featuring the Palestinian flag and children’s coloring books. They labeled them as “incitement,” Al-Rifai said.
Legal expert Medhat Diba warned that the crackdown is part of Israel’s emergency measures imposed after October 7, 2023. These policies allow Israeli authorities to target any activity that contradicts their colonial vision. He expressed concern that more bookstores in the occupied Palestinian capital city, including legal and medical libraries, could face closure under similar accusations.
The Muna Library, located near Al-Aqsa Mosque, has been a cultural hub for nearly four decades. It has served diplomats, journalists, tourists, and researchers. In 2011, it won the award for the best library in Palestine and was ranked among the top three in the Middle East by Lonely Planet and the BBC.
Israeli forces seized books featuring Palestinian leaders such as Yasser Arafat and Khalil al-Wazir. They also took historical and scientific works, claiming they incite violence.
Murad Muna, the brothers’ sibling, said Israeli police used Google Translate to analyze book contents. “They confiscated every book they didn’t like,” he told The New Arab. “Even a copy of Haaretz newspaper was taken.” He revealed that Israeli forces stuffed dozens of books into garbage bags.
