Last update - 00:00 03/07/2007
11 Hamas men arrested for operating in East Jerusalem
By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent
The Shin Bet security service and Jerusalem police recently arrested 11 Hamas operatives on suspicion of running Hamas facilities in East Jerusalem, and for recruiting young people under the guise of engaging in religious and social activities, according to a Shin Bet investigation which was made public on Monday.
The suspects, 10 of whom have Israeli identity cards, were planning to have the recruited youths carry out terror activities and set up groups that would later become terror cells, the Shin Bet said. They said part of the plan was to gain a foothold in the Temple Mount.
Security officials view the discovery of the Hamas activities as a major accomplishment, saying they successfully foiled a Hamas attempt to get established in East Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. The Shin Bet confiscated about NIS 400,000 Hamas received for its East Jerusalem activities from the movement's branches abroad. The funds allegedly were used for activities like meals to break the fast during Ramadan, which were meant to attract young people and get them to join Hamas.
Hamas is also involved in construction work at the Temple Mount, along with the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, according to the Shin Bet investigation. Security officials said the construction is not being coordinated with Israel and violates the status quo. Hamas is also running tours of the Temple Mount meant to strengthen young people's connection to the site, and has set up religious and social welfare centers in East Jerusalem, the Shin Bet said.
The state prosecution is expected to demand that the 11 suspects be indicted for membership in a terror organization, using assets for the purpose of terrorism, and funding terrorism.