Four Israeli leftists who headed a delegation that met in Bucharest last week with representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organization were detained by police for questioning Thursday to determine if they violated a law barring Israelis from contact with members of terrorist organizations.
The three-hour interrogation was conducted at the central district police headquarters in Ramla. The four were released on bail and were not summoned for further questioning.
Each of the suspects was questioned separately. One of them, Yael Lotan, told reporters afterwards that “We had replies for all the questions asked.” She said, “We went to Rumania, accompanied by a lawyer, not to violate the law, but in order to convey a message of peace.”
Lotan noted that the dialogue was held under the auspices of the Rumanian government in a public hall where 29 Israelis sat on one side and the Palestinians on the other.
Israeli newspapers quoted police sources as saying that no offense was committed and the prosecution would find it difficult to prove otherwise. But the police said the investigation would continue.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
