Former Nablus mayor arrested on suspicion of terrorist activity

Adli Yaish, a resident of the West Bank and former mayor of Nablus, was arrested on July 23 by the Shin Bet on suspicion of terrorist activity. According to a report by Israel Hayom, he has been held for questioning since then and is prohibited from meeting with his lawyer.

Yaish, 74, served as mayor of Nablus for two terms: from 2005 to 2012 and from 2017 to 2019.

In the 2005 elections, Yaish ran at the head of an independent list affiliated with Hamas, which won approximately 76% of the vote, leading to his election as mayor.

This is not the first time Yaish has been arrested by Israel. In May 2007, he was detained and held until August 2008. He has been in Shin Bet custody since July 23. The Shin Bet has provided no comment.

His current arrest raises questions regarding the background of officials in Arab local authorities. Yaish is not the only mayor linked to past proceedings involving terrorist activity.

Another prominent example is Tayseer Abu Sneineh, the current mayor of Hebron. Abu Sneineh was previously convicted for his involvement in the 1980 Beit Hadassah shooting attack, which resulted in the murder of six Israelis. He served a prison sentence in Israel and was later released as part of a deal.

Additionally, Dr. Ahmed Nassar, mayor of Arraba, was previously investigated for suspected incitement and identification with terrorist organizations following a speech in which he spoke out against the State of Israel. In Yaish's case, the investigation is ongoing.