BERN, July 28 (JTA) — Swiss police have raided the branch office of a pro-Palestinian organization. The police recently searched offices and apartments where the organization, known as Pro-PLO, was operating in Schaffhausen, a city 30 miles east of Zurich. Police arrested several people and confiscated a computer and other materials, said Patric Illi, founder of the group. A Swiss police spokesman confirmed the investigation, but declined to give further information. A spokesman for the Swiss prosecutor declined to comment on the status of the investigation. The group supports terror attacks against Israeli civilians and boasts of its close relationship with Hamas leaders. In a phone interview with JTA from Egypt, Illi said Swiss intelligence agents have been following him and that he has been warned not to travel to the Gaza Strip. Last week, Illi and one of his associates were prevented from entering Gaza, where they were to meet with Hamas representatives. Israeli officials briefly arrested and interrogated Illi. Israel’s refusal to allow him to enter Gaza was an “American-Jewish terror act,” Illi told JTA.
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