Israeli Police Raid Palestinian Bookstores, Confiscate Books
Israeli police conducted raids on two Palestinian bookstores in East Jerusalem on Sunday, confiscating books and detaining the owner and his nephew, according to family reports.
Surveillance footage from the Educational Bookshop, a well-known institution operated by the Muna family, captured officers placing books into trash bags during the raid. The store, which has been a fixture in the community for decades, has both Arabic- and English-language branches. Store owner Iyad Muna stated that while books were thrown to the ground in both locations, the Arabic-language store suffered the most material damage. Images from the scene show books, stationery, and other materials scattered across the floor.
Israeli authorities issued a statement on Monday alleging that the two arrested individuals had been selling books that incited violence and supported terrorism. Police confirmed that the suspects were taken into custody for further investigation.
A court initially extended the detention of Mahmoud and Ahmed Muna for 24 hours before placing them under five days of house arrest. Authorities had sought to extend their detention for eight days, citing the need for further inquiry. Their legal representative, Nasser Odeh, contested the Israeli police request, arguing that the search warrant lacked substantial justification. He asserted that the books in question focused on Palestinian history, human rights, and the struggles faced by the Palestinian people. Odeh emphasized that none of the materials contained content that posed a threat or aligned with the accusations made against them.
Diplomatic representatives from the European Union, several EU member states, the United Kingdom, and Brazil attended the court proceedings in support of the bookstore and its owners. Israeli Police claimed that numerous books with nationalist themes promoting incitement were found in the stores, including a children’s coloring book titled From the River to the Sea, a phrase that carries political significance. While some Palestinians use it to express aspirations for self-determination, many in Israel view it as a call for the country’s destruction.
Founded in 1984 by Ahmad Muna, the Educational Bookshop began as a small venture on Salah el-Din Street before growing into a prominent cultural hub. The original store primarily stocks Arabic books, while the English-language branch, opened later, serves a diverse clientele, including Palestinians, Israelis, and international visitors. Another location, situated within the American Colony Hotel, is popular among diplomats, journalists, and foreign dignitaries.
Ahmad Muna, a former teacher at the Shu’fat refugee camp, balanced his mornings in the classroom with afternoons and evenings managing the bookstore. His son Mahmoud, who now oversees operations, was among those arrested during the raid. The shop specializes in books on Palestinian history, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Jerusalem, and contemporary Palestinian literature. It also carries art books, cookbooks, historical maps, and cultural prints.
The group The Time Has Come, advocating for peace between Jews and Palestinians, condemned the arrests and seizures, stating that such actions undermine freedom of expression and the right to information. Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for Palestinian Territories, also voiced outrage over the raid, describing the bookstore as an intellectual cornerstone resisting cultural erasure.
