CNN, an American news outlet, reported that Palestinians were hesitant to express their sorrow for Gaza's civilians due to the fear of being arrested by Israeli police.
Dua Abu Shenineh, a 22-year-old who spoke to CNN, recounted a police team of 10-15 individuals raiding her home in East Jerusalem on October 23.
Shenineh stated, "I never thought for a moment that they were coming for me. When I asked why they had come, the police pushed me and confiscated my phone."
She explained that the police attempted to check her TikTok and Facebook accounts but that she did not use either application. Subsequently, the police turned to her Snapchat account.
Shenineh mentioned, "The police noticed that we had not shared anything. Then they looked at my WhatsApp. I had shared a verse from the Quran, and they were after it, accusing me of supporting terrorism. I couldn't believe it."
The verse she shared contained the phrase "Allah is not unaware of what the oppressors do."
Abeer Baker, who serves as the legal counsel for some Palestinians arrested in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, commented, "The police interpret every word that defends Gaza or opposes the war as support for terrorism, even if you express opposition to taking lives."
Israeli police arrested 110 individuals on charges of supporting terrorism from October 7 to October 25.
Out of those detained, many were arrested due to their social media posts. However, only 17 individuals faced charges, and the rest were released a few days later.
Baker pointed out that this situation underscores that the statements made by those detained are not illegal, saying, "People are detained for expressing that their hearts are with the children in Gaza."
