The Israeli Central Court has refused to release 64-year-old female resident of East Jerusalem Zeinat Oweidah-Jallad on charges of belonging to the Islamic Movement, Quds Press agency reported.
Jallad’s lawyer said he filed an appeal yesterday against the decision to extend her detention but the court rejected his request, adding that Jallad is due to stand before the Israeli Conciliation Court this morning.
Israeli Radio said Jallad was arrested from the Issawiya neighbourhood of East Jerusalem by Israeli police for suspected ties to the newly outlawed northern branch of the Islamic Movement.
This is the first time someone has been detained for being affiliated with the northern branch of the Islamic Movement since it was banned in November, it added.
Jallad is an activist in the all-female Murabitat group, known for opposing a Jewish presence in Al-Aqsa Mosque. She is also the mother of captive Waseem Jallad who has been sentenced to 15 years in an Israeli prison.
A group of Jerusalemite women organised a sit-in in front of the District Court to demand Jallad’s release and to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque.