Israeli police raid homes of Israeli anti-Wall activists

IMEMC- Israeli activists who are involved in protests against the Israeli annexation wall had their homes searched by Israeli police.

According to a Ma'an News report, Israeli special police forces attempted to enter and conduct a search of a home in central Tel Aviv, shared by a number of left-wing activists. Activists refused to submit to the search because they were not provided with a search warrant.

At 11 a.m., three policemen targeted a second home which is the residence of an activist who had been detained at a protest against Israel's Operation Cast Lead in 2009. According to a witness, after the police entered the home they “turned the house upside down,” confiscating computers, pictures, clothing, and other items.

Another anonymous source said police forces intend to search at least eight more homes throughout the day.

This new development comes in the midst of increasing attacks on Israeli activists by Israel. In recent weeks, the Shabak, Israel’s intelligence service, has been calling Israeli protester to come in for “friendly chats.” All those who have receiving the calls have refused, since by law they are not required to comply with the requests unless they receive an official summons from the police.

Last week, well-known left-wing activist Johnathan Pollak was sentenced to three months in jail for his role in a small, non-violent protest held in Tel Aviv in 2008, against the Israeli siege on Gaza. Pollak was singled out from the other demonstrators and was the only protester who was arrested, leading many observers to believe that Pollak is being punished for his role in the Palestinian cause, and the fact that he is the spokesman for the West Bank's Popular Struggle Organizing Committee, which serves as a media center for all villages engaged in non-violent demonstrations, including Bi'lin. Read more