ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Israeli Police Raid East Jerusalem's Educational Bookshop, Arresting Owners Mahmoud and Ahmad Muna

opinion-review · 2026-04-20

In East Jerusalem, Israeli police conducted a raid on the Educational Bookshop, apprehending owners Mahmoud Muna and his nephew Ahmad Muna for allegedly 'disrupting public order.' Officers utilized Google Translate to examine Arabic literature for keywords such as 'Hamas' and 'Palestine.' The Munas endured two nights of severe detention prior to being placed under house arrest. Located on Salah al-Din Street, the shop is a significant cultural landmark for Palestinians. This event highlights the ongoing repression of Palestinian culture, with 80% of Gaza's educational institutions and all twelve universities having been destroyed since October 7, 2023. The raid garnered international attention, with diplomats present at court proceedings and widespread support. Author Yair Wallach emphasizes that the Munas' interactions with Jewish Israelis counter negative state narratives.

Key facts

  • Israeli police raided the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem, arresting owners Mahmoud Muna and Ahmad Muna.
  • Officers used Google Translate to search for books containing 'Hamas,' 'Palestine,' or 'Antisemitism.'
  • The Munas were charged with 'disrupting public order' and held for two nights before house arrest.
  • The bookshop is a key Palestinian cultural institution on Salah al-Din Street, with a branch at the American Colony hotel.
  • Since October 7, 2023, 80% of Gaza's schools and all twelve universities have been destroyed.
  • Cultural sites like the Edward Said Public Library were attacked in January 2025.
  • The Al-Hakawati Palestinian Theater faced repeated closures in the 1970s and 1980s.
  • In 2024, Israel banned the documentary '1948: Remember, Remember Not' by Neta Shoshani.

Entities

Artists

  • Mahmoud Muna
  • Ahmad Muna
  • Refaat Alareer
  • Heba Zagout
  • Inas al Saqa
  • Neta Shoshani
  • Rami Younis
  • Sarah Friedland
  • Muhammad Bakri
  • Yair Wallach

Institutions

  • Educational Bookshop
  • Al-Hakawati Palestinian Theater
  • Edward Said Public Library
  • Israel's Film Review Council
  • Israeli public channel
  • SOAS, University of London
  • ArtReview

Locations

  • East Jerusalem
  • Jerusalem
  • Israel
  • Gaza
  • Salah al-Din Street
  • Old City
  • American Colony hotel
  • London
  • United Kingdom

Sources