Jerusalem – Israeli Police Arrest Left-wing Activist After TV Report

Jerusalem – Israeli police confirmed on Thursday the arrest of a prominent left-wing activist who was caught on tape boasting that he has put the lives of Palestinians who sell land to Israeli settlers at risk.

Police arrested the activist, Ezra Nawi, last week after the respected Israeli investigative program “Uvda” aired hidden-camera footage of him saying that he has turned over Arab land dealers to Palestinian authorities, knowing they could be killed or tortured. A gag order had prevented publication of his name.

The sale of Palestinian land to Jews is seen as treason among Palestinians, and some of those said to have sold land to Jews have in the past been killed under unclear circumstances.

Nawi’s arrest comes as dovish Israeli groups say they have come under fire for being critical of government policies toward the Palestinians, with hard-line Israeli politicians and activists stepping up pressure on the organizations through legislation and accusations that they are disloyal.

The Uvda report showed amateur footage captured by a right-wing activist who went undercover and infiltrated Nawi’s group, Ta’ayush. In one scene, Nawi tells the impostor how he goes after land dealers.

“I turn them over immediately, their pictures and their phone numbers to the Palestinian security forces,” he says. The activist asks what the security forces do to stop the sale of land. Nawi answers: “It catches them and kills them.”

The “Uvda” report was not clear whether Nawi’s actions have gotten anyone killed. Nawi’s lawyers argue that he hasn’t committed any crime.

Nawi has not been charged but is suspected of conspiracy to commit a crime and of having ties to a foreign agent. Police said two other activists, a Palestinian and an Israeli, were also arrested. Their names were still under a gag order Thursday.