The Dutch government issued an urgent appeal to Israel on Tuesday for the release of Palestinian activist Faisal al-Husseini, who was arrested Sunday and placed in administrative detention for six months.
The dovish Israeli group Peace Now had petitioned Dutch Premier Ruud Lubbers to use his influence with the Israelis to gain Husseini’s release.
The Dutch government’s appeal, however, was made in the apparent absence of both Lubbers and Foreign Minister Hans van den Broek, who are thought to be on vacation.
The two men visited Israel last month. Lubbers met with Palestinians and Peace Now representatives, while van den Broek met in East Jerusalem with a group of 18 Palestinians, including Husseini. Van den Broek said he found Husseini moderate and reasonable.
In a message handed to the Israeli ambassador to The Hague Tuesday, the Dutch argued that HusseinÃ’s detention would have a negative out-come for Israel, since it would show the Palestinians that Israel does not reward moderation.
But the Israeli government maintains that Husseini is anything but moderate. Authorities charge him with being a senior activist in Al Fatah, the military wing of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the PLO’s senior representative in the administered territories.
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