Israeli prosecutors challenge release of Palestine teen

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Israeli prosecutors on Tuesday lodged an appeal with the Ofer Military Court west of Ramallah against its decision to release Fawzi al-Juneidi, a Palestinian teen detained 20 days ago, on bail.

The 16-year-old’s lawyer, Farah Dabayseh, told Anadolu Agency that the court would rule on the appeal at a Wednesday court session.

Prosecutors, for their part, say they plan to file an indictment against al-Juneidi, who was arrested by the Israeli army in early December for allegedly taking part in “violent riots”.

Last Sunday, the Ofer court decided to release al-Juneidi on bail set at 10,000 Israeli shekels (roughly $2,860). Prosecutors, however, asked the court to wait an additional 48 hours to allow them to file an appeal.

Al-Juneidi was arrested in the West Bank city of Hebron (Al-Khalil) on Dec. 7 after being dragged on the ground and blindfolded by heavily-armed Israeli soldiers.

A photo of the blindfolded youth has since become a symbol of ongoing protests in the Palestinian territories sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision on Dec. 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Society, an NGO, roughly 300 children are currently being held in detention facilities across Israel.

Trump’s controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital triggered a wave of condemnation and protest across the Arab and Muslim world.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.