Israel remands Palestinian governor of Jerusalem in custody

Israel remanded on Thursday Palestinian Governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith in custody as part of an investigation related to a land sale, Israeli police said.

The Jerusalem Magistrate Court ruled that Gheith, who was arrested on Nov. 25, will stay in custody at least until Sunday, according to a statement issued by Israeli Police Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.

Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Magistrate Court released some 20 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem, two days after they were arrested with 12 others under suspicions similar to those of Gheith.

Gheith was arrested "under Section 7 of the Implementation Act," which forbids Israeli residents from cooperating with Palestinian security forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli police.

Gheith was allegedly involved in the arrest and investigation of a Palestinian who sold lands to Israelis, a forbidden transaction under the rules of the Palestinian National Authority. The merchant is a resident of East Jerusalem and holds a U.S. citizenship.