Israeli forces detain Santa Clause in raid on Palestinian Christmas celebration

Israeli police arrested a Palestinian man dressed as Santa Claus during a raid on a Christmas celebration in Haifa earlier this week, a local rights group has said.

Police forcibly dispersed festivities held by Palestinian Christian citizens of Israel in the Wadi Nisnas neighbourhood on Sunday and confiscated equipment from the event. 

According to the Mossawa Centre, an organisation advocating for the rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel, police used excessive force while detaining the man dressed as Santa Claus, as well as a DJ and a street vendor.

All three were released on Monday but were expected to be summoned to court again.

Mossawa said police also raided a music institute without legal authorisation.

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