Palestinians Arrest 4 for Visiting Sukkah

Four Palestinians have been detained for visiting a sukkah in the Israeli city of Efrat.

A senior Palestinian security official said that “any Palestinian cooperation with settlers is viewed as violating the law, as he cooperates with the enemy.” He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to discuss the matter.

The Palestininan official said the government is aware of laborers who have “no choice” but to work in Jewish communities to support their families. He said officials are interrogating the men who attended last week’s Sukkos event to see if they violated any laws.

Efrat Mayor Oded Revivi, who hosted the gathering, called on the Palestinian Authority to release his guests.

“It is absurd that having coffee with Jews is considered a crime by the PA,” he said. “Initiatives that seek to foster cooperation and peace between people should be encouraged, not silenced. It’s time the PA asks itself whether it would prefer to fan the flames of conflict instead of working to bring people together.”