The Raid on Palestinian Bookstores: A Crackdown on Culture and Expression

The Raid and Its Aftermath

On Sunday, October 7, 2023, Israeli police raided two Palestinian-owned bookstores in East Jerusalem, arresting the brothers Mahmoud Muna and Ahmed Muna, and confiscating books. The police claimed that the bookstores were selling material that supported terrorism, including a children’s coloring book titled “From the Jordan to the Sea.” The slogan “from the river to the sea” has deep historical significance for Palestinians, symbolizing their national aspirations for self-determination and statehood. However, Israelis often interpret the phrase as a denial of Israel’s right to exist. Murad Muna, a brother of the arrested men, denied the allegations, stating that the raid was part of a broader effort to politically persecute Palestinians and silence their voices.

The raid on the bookstores, part of a larger crackdown on Palestinian cultural and intellectual life, has sparked widespread condemnation. The Educational Bookshop, which operates the two raided stores, has been a cornerstone of Palestinian cultural and educational life in East Jerusalem for decades. The stores have served as a hub for learning, intellectual exchange, and community gatherings, hosting talks, film screenings, and other cultural events. The raid has left the community reeling, with many viewing it as an attack on Palestinian identity and freedom of expression.

The Targeting of Palestinian Cultural Spaces

The Educational Bookshop has long been a symbol of Palestinian resilience and intellectual curiosity. Its two locations in East Jerusalem have been a destination for locals and international visitors alike, offering a wide range of books on Palestinian history, culture, and politics. The stores have also served as a space for open dialogue and debate, fostering a sense of community and intellectual exchange. However, since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have escalated their restrictions on Palestinian cultural and political activities. Film screenings critical of the Israeli military or government have been shut down in cities like Haifa and Jaffa, and Palestinian citizens of Israel have been arrested for alleged incitement to terror on social media.

The raids on the bookstores are part of this broaderpattern of repression. By targeting cultural spaces like the Educational Bookshop, Israeli authorities are not only suppressing Palestinian voices but also undermining the very fabric of Palestinian identity. The confiscation of books, including a children’s coloring book, raises questions about the criteria used to determine what constitutes “terrorist material.” The vague and expansive definition of incitement used by Israeli authorities has led to widespread concern about the erosion of free speech and cultural expression in Israel and the occupied territories.

The charges and Denials

The Israeli police justified the raid by claiming that the bookstores were selling material that supported terrorism. Specifically, they cited the children’s coloring book “From the Jordan to the Sea” as an example of such material. The slogan “from the river to the sea” has long been a rallying cry for Palestinian nationalism, and its inclusion in the book was likely the reason for its confiscation. However, Murad Muna, a brother of the arrested men, denied that the bookstores were selling material that promoted violence. He described the raid as a politically motivated act aimed at silencing Palestinian voices in the public sphere.

The charges against the Munas are based on a contentious interpretation of the slogan “from the river to the sea.” While Israelis view the phrase as a threat to their country’s existence, Palestinians see it as a expression of their national aspirations for a sovereign state. The raids highlight the deep divide between Israeli and Palestinian narratives and the challenges of navigating free speech in a deeply contested political environment. The Munas’ lawyer, Nasser Oday, emphasized that the charges were unfounded and that the bookstores had been targeted for their role in promoting Palestinian culture and education.

The Broader Crackdown on Palestinian Expression

The raid on the Educational Bookshop is part of a larger campaign by Israeli authorities to suppress Palestinian expression and cultural activities. Since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, there has been a significant increase in arrests of Palestinian citizens of Israel on charges of incitement to terror, often based on social media posts. Additionally, cultural events critical of the Israeli government or military have been shut down, with film screenings in Haifa and Jaffa being recent examples. The crackdown has raised concerns about the shrinking space for free speech and the targeting of Palestinian cultural and intellectual life.

The raids on the bookstores in East Jerusalem are particularly significant because they occur in a part of the city that holds deep historical and cultural importance for Palestinians. East Jerusalem, which was captured by Israel in 1967 and later annexed, is home to many Palestinian institutions and cultural landmarks. However, the Israeli government’s policies have increasingly sought to erase Palestinian identity in the city, imposing restrictions on education, culture, and political expression. The raid on the Educational Bookshop is a stark reminder of the challenges Palestinians face in asserting their cultural and national identity under Israeli rule.

The Community’s Response and Solidarity

The raid on the bookstores has been met with widespread solidarity from the Palestinian community in East Jerusalem and beyond. On Monday morning, protesters gathered outside a court in Jerusalem to show their support for the two detained brothers. Mahmoud and Ahmed Muna were ordered to remain in detention until Tuesday morning, after which they would be placed under house arrest for five days pending an investigation. Mai Muna, the wife of Mahmoud Muna, described the raid in detail, recounting how Israeli police stormed the bookstores on the main commercial road in East Jerusalem around 3 p.m. on Sunday.

“They started throwing books off the shelves,” Ms. Muna said in a phone interview as she waited at the courthouse for her husband’s hearing. “They didn’t speak any English—they were looking for anything with a Palestinian flag.” The raid has left the Muna family and the broader community shaken, as it represents a direct attack on their cultural and intellectual life. The Educational Bookshop has been a beloved institution in East Jerusalem for decades, providing a space for learning, dialogue, and cultural expression. Its closure, even if temporary, is a significant loss for the community.

The International Community’s Reaction

The raid on the Educational Bookshop has not gone unnoticed by the international community. Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, expressed his concern over the incident, describing the Munas as “peace-loving, proud Palestinian Jerusalemites, open to discussion and intellectual exchange.” Seibert’s statement reflects the widespread international recognition of the importance of the Educational Bookshop as a cultural and educational hub. The ambassador’s words also highlight the growing concern among diplomats and human rights organizations about Israel’s restrictions on free speech and cultural expression.

The international community’s reaction underscores the importance of protecting cultural spaces and promoting dialogue in conflict zones. The Educational Bookshop has long served as a bridge between Palestinians and Israelis, fostering mutual understanding and respect. Its closure sets a worrying precedent for the future of cultural exchange and intellectual freedom in the region. As the situation unfolds, the international community will continue to watch closely, advocating for the protection of Palestinian cultural and educational institutions and the upholding of basic human rights.

In conclusion, the raid on the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem represents a concerning escalation in Israel’s crackdown on Palestinian cultural and intellectual life. The confiscation of books and the arrest of the bookstore owners are part of a broader pattern of repression aimed at silencing Palestinian voices and erasing Palestinian identity. As the international community calls for the protection of cultural spaces and the promotion of free speech, the people of East Jerusalem continue to resist, affirming their right to preserve their culture, history, and humanity in the face of adversity.