Riot in Bilin
Photo: AP
Bilin councilman arrested after predicting another intifada
Leader of protests against West Bank security barrier arrested hours after telling Ynet, 'We're positive 2010 will see us beat the occupation'
Muhammad Khatib, considered by many the leader of the Palestinian protests against the construction of the West Bank security barrier, was arrested overnight Thursday by the IDF just hours after telling Ynet, "We are on the eve of an intifada."
Ynet Interview
Organizer of protests in Naalin, Bilin and Nabi Saleh warns that recent West Bank clashes are prelim to nearing intifada
During Wednesday's interview Khatib, a senior Bilin village councilman, said, "The resistance will spread, like it did in the (1987) Intifada, but this one will be much more creative.
"We're positive 2010 will see us beat the occupation. We see it in the fact that the Israeli military is nervous about the fact that it can't curb (the protest)," he told Ynet.
Khatib's family members said soldiers arrived at their Bilin home at 1:45 am and arrested him following a search of the residence. They said the soldiers did not present a search warrant, and confiscated a cell phone and documents the troops claimed were possibly inciting.
Khatib was arrested a few months ago and was released by a military judge two weeks later. The prosecution claimed he was photographed throwing stones at security forces, by Defense Attorney Gabi Lasky proved Khatib was abroad when the rally in question was staged.
Members of the anti-separation fence committee allege that Israel has hardened its policies against rioters arrested in the West Bank in order to "break the resistance".
Left-wing activist Yonatan Pollak said he believed Khatib was arrested due to the interview with Ynet.
