P.A. judge: Selling property to Jews punishable by death
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Palestinians who sell their property to Jews
are committing a crime punishable by the death penalty, the
Palestinian Authority warned.  The warning about the long-
standing fatwa, or religious decree, against selling property to
Jews was issued Wednesday following reports that American Jewish
businessmen had purchased several acres of land on the Mount of
Olives in Jerusalem from its Palestinian owners.  The P.A.’s
chief Islamic judge, Sheik Tayseer Rajab Tamimi, issued the
warning, saying it also applies to real estate agents and
landlords who rent to Jews. The punishment also includes being
ostracized by community and family.  Tamimi reportedly said that
the ban is in place to prevent Israeli officials from taking
control of Arab land in Jerusalem.