PA releases businessman who attended Bahrain summit after arresting upon return
Saleh Abu Mayala was held by the Palestinians Authority last Friday after coming back from the Gulf summit
The Palestinian Authority arrested and released the next day a Palestinian businessman from the West Bank city of Hebron who attended the United States-sponsored economic summit in Bahrain.
Saleh Abu Mayala was arrested on Friday night upon his return home from Bahrain by Palestinian intelligence forces and released by Saturday night, according to reports.
A second Palestinian businessman who attended the conference was nearly arrested in Hebron but he crossed to an Israeli-controlled area to prevent the arrest, the Times of Israel reported, citing another Palestinian businessman who had attended the conference, the rollout first part of the Trump administration’s Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday that Mayala was released “due to American pressure. His only crime was that he attended an economic conference designed to advance the Palestinian economy.”
READ MORE:
- First minyan held in Bahrain synagogue since 19th century
- Bahrain’s foreign minister calls for open talks with Israel
- OPINION – Sylvan Adams: This Bahrain workshop is a small beginning in quest for peace
Reports noted that the PA may have been seeking intelligence on the conference from the businessmen.
U.S. Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt appeared to acknowledge that pressure, tweeting on Sunday that the Trump administration was “pleased” that the PA released Mayala, and that it was looking forward to “continuing our conversation w[ith] all who attended the workshop & anyone else who wants a better future for the Palestinians.”
https://twitter.com/jdgreenblatt45/status/1145122997969145856
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
