For the third consecutive time, the Israeli Authorities decided to extend the Administrative Detention order against elected legislator, Nayef Rajoub, 55, for an additional six months.The family of the Hamas legislator stated that Israeli courts never brought any charges against him. The family considered the recent decision as another Israeli violation against the elected legislators and officials.
Elected Islamic legislators in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip slammed the Israeli decision, and stated that it is a continuation of the illegitimate policies of the occupation against the elected officials.
Rajoub held the position of the Minister of Waqf and Islamic Endowment at the tenth Palestinian government, and is considered one of the well-respected officials and religious figures in the Hebron district, in the southern part of the West Bank.
After the Hamas movement achieved an overwhelming victory in the 2006
Legislative Elections, and Local Councils Elections before that, Israel carried out and extensive campaign, and kidnapped most of the elected officials in the occupied West Bank, including the head of the Legislative Council, Dr. Aziz Dweik.
The elections were held under international supervision, but Israel and the United States did not like the outcome that brought Hamas to power, and decided to shun them.
Rajoub was kidnapped for the first time in 1989 for his affiliation with the Hamas movement, and was imprisoned for one year. In 1992, he spent a six months in administrative detention before he was deported to Marj Az- Zohour in southern Lebanon along with dozens of Hamas officials.
He also spent six months under administrative detention in 2005, and in 2006 he was kidnapped along with dozens of elected legislators and officials, and was imprisoned for 52 months.
