Mahmoud Muna, a bookseller in East Jerusalem, found his family-run Educational Bookshop at the center of a police raid that has sparked outrage and concern over free speech in the region. On a day when his daughter sought to help with her homework at the store, Israeli police stormed the establishment, confiscating books and arresting Muna and his nephew, Ahmad, on allegations of selling materials that incite violence and support terrorism.
The raid occurred on a Sunday afternoon, with approximately seven detectives presenting a warrant to search for "inciteful material." According to a statement from the Israeli police, the two men were suspected of selling books with nationalist Palestinian themes, including a children’s coloring book titled "From the Jordan to the Sea." Mahmoud reported that officers seized any book featuring a Palestinian flag and those discussing "occupation" or containing maps.
Mahmoud Muna expressed dismay at the police’s actions, emphasizing that the Educational Bookshop offers a diverse collection of literature, presenting various perspectives, including those of both Palestinians and Israelis. He stated, "This is not my personal wishlist of a library. This is a bookstore that presents different voices along different political lines for different readership to read and learn things that they did not know."
The incident has raised alarms regarding restrictions on free speech in Israel, particularly following the increased scrutiny of cultural institutions under the current right-wing government. The United Nations has consistently declared Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem since 1967 as illegal, with Amnesty International labeling the treatment of Palestinians in the area as apartheid. Palestinians in East Jerusalem face unique legal challenges, including restrictions on residency rights and land ownership.
This is not the first instance of police crackdowns on free expression in Israel. Following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, the government has implemented measures against left-leaning media and cultural expressions, including boycotts of certain newspapers and censorship of films. Mahmoud Muna remarked that the raid on their bookstore is part of a broader trend of targeting Palestinian voices and cultural institutions.
After spending nearly 48 hours in custody, Mahmoud and Ahmad were released on bail but remain under house arrest for five days and are prohibited from returning to their stores for two weeks. Despite the challenges, the bookstores have seen an influx of customers showing support since the arrests, with visitors traveling from afar to express solidarity with the Muna family.
Mahmoud’s experience during detention was harrowing; he described inhumane conditions, being treated as guilty upon arrival. He stated, "In all places, you are innocent until proven guilty. The condition I was in, I was immediately assumed guilty."
As the Educational Bookshop continues to operate, Mahmoud Muna fears for the future of cultural institutions in East Jerusalem. He hopes that the recent events will not mark the beginning of a new chapter in the suppression of free speech and expression in the region.