For Mahmoud and Murad Muna, the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem is a cornerstone of their childhood memories. In a recent interview, Mahmoud recalled, “I crawled, walked, and learned to speak in the bookshop.”
This family-run business has deep roots; Mahmoud oversees one store while his nephew, Ahmad, manages another located just across the street. Sunday brought a bittersweet moment when Mahmoud’s ten-year-old daughter expressed interest in helping with her homework at the shop. “I was very pleased because this is, in a way, integrating her in the life of the bookshop,” Mahmoud stated. Unfortunately, this moment was overshadowed by a police raid.
On the same day, Israeli police raided the store, seizing books and arresting both Mahmoud and Ahmad. In an official statement, the police claimed the men were “suspected of selling books containing incitement and support for terrorism at bookstores in Jerusalem.” According to the police, they discovered several books with nationalist Palestinian themes, including children’s materials.
Mahmoud recounted that the police confiscated any book displaying a Palestinian flag, as well as any that mentioned the term “occupation” or contained maps. Despite this, he emphasized that the bookstores offer diverse perspectives. “We have books that present the Palestinian story, sure,” he explained, but added, “We also have books that present part of the Israeli story as well.”
Compounding concerns, Palestinians in East Jerusalem face significant restrictions in terms of residency rights and political engagement, with the UN consistently condemning Israel’s annexation of this territory as illegal. Human rights organizations have labeled Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in the region as apartheid.
The recent police crackdown on speech is not unprecedented. Following attacks by Hamas on October 7, the Israeli government has targeted left-leaning media and cultural productions. The raid on bookstore owners marks a troubling escalation.
Murad expressed disbelief at the police’s actions, stating, “Even in our dreams, we didn’t think it would happen.” He highlighted the contradiction between Israel’s claims of being the only democracy in the Middle East and the reality of their experience.
Assumed Guilty
Describing the raid, Mahmoud recounted how roughly seven detectives arrived with a warrant for materials they deemed capable of inciting violence. “I asked what the criteria is to determine if something is inciting or not,” he said, to which they replied they “know their job.”
The authorities confiscated books by renowned authors critical of Israeli policies and even materials simply related to Palestinian culture.
Both men were held for approximately 48 hours under what Mahmoud described as inhumane conditions, where they faced violence and humiliation from guards. “In all places, you are innocent until proven guilty,” Mahmoud remarked, noting that he felt immediately presumed guilty simply due to his identity.
Future of the Educational Bookshop
After their release on bail, both Mahmoud and Ahmad are under house arrest for five days and are prohibited from visiting their own stores for two weeks. Despite this, the bookstores have remained open and have experienced an influx of customers expressing their support.
With growing concerns about the future of cultural institutions in East Jerusalem, Mahmoud believes this raid represents a broader initiative to silence Palestinian voices. “This is a sequence of events that is now coming to books and bookstores,” he warned, hoping for an end to such crackdowns.
