Israel summons Jerusalem minister for 'questioning'

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli intelligence service on Monday summoned Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Adnan al-Husseini for questioning, according to a local official.

"This is not the first time for al-Husseini to be summoned for interrogation as he was summoned many times in the last months," an official at the minister's office told Anadolu Agency.

He said no reason was given for the Israeli move.

Israeli authorities have recently escalated measures against Palestinians in Jerusalem amid tension after Israeli police briefly closed Al-Aqsa Mosque's al-Rahma Mosque last month, triggering angry Palestinian protests.

In recent days, Israel has banned several Palestinian religious officials -- along with Al-Aqsa Mosque guards and Muslim worshipers -- from entering the flashpoint site periods ranging from one week to several months.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the decades-long Mideast conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might one day serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.