Israeli forces arrested a leading Palestinian protest organiser today in what activists said was a sign of Israel's concern over plans for more demonstrations in the occupied West Bank.
Mohammed Khatib was taken into custody in a pre-dawn raid, said a statement by his Popular Struggle Coordination Committee.
The Fatah party of President Mahmoud Abbas, who opposes violence against Israel, wants more "popular resistance" against Israeli occupation and West Bank settlement policies.
Activists say Israeli security forces stepped up arrests last month in an effort to quell the unrest.
Mr Khatib helps organise protests against a barrier Israel is building in the West Bank, which often turn violent.
Israel says the barrier, which at points reaches deep into territory it occupied in 1967, is needed to prevent attacks by Palestinians on Israelis. Palestinians say it takes their land and disrupts their lives.
The Israeli army says its policy on dealing with demonstrations has not changed. It says some are deliberately turned violent by the protesters.
Reuters
