Israel arrests Gaza man who had been invited to US-sponsored technology fair
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Israel has confirmed the arrest of a Gaza man who was detained as he prepared to travel to a U.S.-sponsored cultural event in the West Bank.
Israel's Shin Bet security agency says Alaa Miqbel was arrested this week when he arrived at an Israeli crossing to pick up a travel permit. It says the 30-year-old man belongs to the Islamic Jihad Palestinian militant group and had participated in attacks on Israeli soldiers.
Miqbel works for a nonprofit youth group and had been invited to a technology camp whose sponsors included the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem. His father, Hasan, denied the allegations and said his son is not involved in politics or attacks.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Consulate spokesman Peter Galus confirmed Wednesday that Miqbel had been invited and said participants had been screened for security purposes. He had no details about the arrest.