Late-Night Police Raids Arrest 31 Palestinians in Jerusalem

Jerusalem, 20 April, 2016 (TPS) -- Israeli police arrested 31 Palestinians in a series of late-night raids in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya on charges of “popular terror” and disturbing public order, according to a police statement issued on Wednesday.

The raids had been planned for a long time and were aimed at arresting suspected rioters and confiscating weapons. Aside from those arrested, 18 other suspects were summoned for interrogation.

A pipe bomb was detonated outside a mosque during the raids causing no injuries, the statement said.

“Criminals should know that the long arm of the police will reach anyone who chooses violence,” the statement continued. “Removing criminal and terrorist elements from the public square, bringing them to justice, and placing them behind bars will allow the law-abiding community to live their lives comfortably and securely.”