Israel rescinds closure decision of news agency, maintains it for two other palestinian offices

Israeli authorities have rescinded, for the moment, their decision to close down offices of Palestinian news agency WAFA in Jerusalem (Al Quds) but maintained the closure of the Palestinian detainee club and the Office of the Palestinian official in charge of Christian affairs.

A spokesman of the Israeli police said the closure of WAFA offices in Jerusalem is still under study while orders for the closure of the two other offices will be issued this Tuesday.

Israel has made the decision as prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is running for another term in next May's elections, has made of the defense of Israel's sovereignty over the city a major item in his campaign.

The Palestinian official in charge of Jerusalem, Faysal Al-Husseini, has accused that Israel's tightening of repression measures against Palestinians is motivated by election considerations.

Al-Husseini's accusations are supported by foreign diplomats, mainly the European ones who visited him last month at the Orient house.