Zeyad Abu Ein, director general of the Palestinian ministry of prisoners` affairs told Xinhua that the player, Ibrahim Wadi, was arrested Friday on his way from the West Bank city of Jenin to the city of Bethlehem, where he lives.
Wadi plays in the Palestinian team of Jabal al-Mukaber between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. According to Abu Ein, Wadi was held with two other soccer players, who were later released.
Wadi`s family is originally from the Gaza Strip. However, Abu Ein said arresting him and deciding to expel him to Gaza "is a condemned and rejected action," adding that "Israel should annul the decision and let him play soccer in the West Bank, which is under the control of the Palestinian National Authority."
In April 2010, Israel issued a decision to expel any Palestinian from the Gaza Strip that is arrested in the West Bank for staying in the territory without an Israeli security pass.
The Israeli media reported that the decision gives a free hand to the Israeli army present at several roadblocks all over the West Bank to arrest any person from Gaza and force them to leave the West Bank.
(U.C003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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