Activists try to block an Israeli bulldozer at the Palestinian Bedouin community of Al-Khan Al-Ahmar that Israel plans to demolish, located between the West Bank city of Jericho and Jerusalem, on Oct. 15, 2018. (Xinhua/Mamoun Wazwaz)
RAMALLAH, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- A top leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said on Sunday that Israel has no right to disrupt the social, cultural, economic and political lives of Palestinians in Jerusalem.
The remarks by Saeb Erekat, PLO secretary general, came a day after Adnan Gheith, Palestinian governor of Jerusalem, was arrested by Israeli forces.
Israel's arrest has violated its own commitments and obligations regarding Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem, Erekat said in a press statement, accusing the Israeli government of "escalating its attack" against the holy city.
"The threats and detentions against Palestinian political and community leaders ... should only be taken as part of Israel's plan to eliminate any foundations for a two-state solution along the 1967 border," he noted.
The PLO secretary general called for the international community to pressure Israel to release Gheith, and "save East Jerusalem, capital of the State of Palestine."
Israel forces detain activists at the Palestinian Bedouin community of Al-Khan Al-Ahmar that Israel plans to demolish, located between the West Bank city of Jericho and Jerusalem, on Oct. 15, 2018. (Xinhua/Mamoun Wazwaz)
Erekat also blamed the United States for giving Israel the green light to "eliminate the Palestinian presence" in Jerusalem.
The U.S.-backed Israeli measures have reached a new level, which include "forcible transfer of civilian population, home demolitions, colonial settlement expansion and persecution of Palestinian civil society and political leaders," he said.
Israeli forces stopped Gheith's car in Jerusalem on Saturday evening and arrested him, according to his family members.
The Israeli authorities are expected to put the Palestinian activist on trial on Sunday, but have't clarified his charges yet.
