Jerusalem shop owner arrested for selling ‘incitement material’ in Old City

Merchandise uncovered in a search of the shop owner’s home included cellphone cases featuring terrorist symbols and pictures of terrorists.

The IDF and Israel Police arrested a store owner on suspicion of selling “inciting materials to stores in the Old City of Jerusalem” in a joint operation on Thursday night.

The business was searched following intelligence gathered by the agency that alerted them to the sale of suspected “incitement” paraphernalia. Law enforcement confiscated numerous items and arrested the shop owner for questioning.

The search of the materials being sold uncovered “pictures of terrorists, necklaces and pendants with mobile phone covers with terrorist symbols and pictures of terrorists, amongst other items that encourage violence and terrorism,” according to an Israel Police spokesperson.

The owner of the store was arrested on suspicion of possessing incitement materials, distribution of incendiary propaganda, and support for a terrorist organization, according to the police.

A house in Nablus in the West Bank belonging to the suspect was searched early Friday morning in relation to the arrest and ongoing investigation.

Police searched a store in Jerusalem and a house in Nablus in relation to an investigation into the sale of incitement materials. (Credit: Israel Police)

Ongoing counterterrorism operations

This operation was part of an ongoing effort by Israel Police to crack down on the distribution of extremist content that may endanger public safety and harm the “proper fabric of life in the Old City of Jerusalem.”

In a statement released by the police, they assured the public that they, in collaboration with the IDF and other security forces, “will continue to act against any party involved in the production, distribution or sale of incitement materials, and will work to bring them to justice.”