Palestinian police are working overtime enforcing Shariah law's fast during Ramadan on Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
At least four people, including Christians, have been arrested so far for eating in public before sunset since last week when the monthlong Muslim holy days began.
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The West Bank, which has a mixed population of Muslims and Christians, has traditionally been more relaxed during Ramadan and Christian-owned restaurants and businesses remain open in cities such as Ramallah and Bethlehem.
But last week Palestinian Authority prosecutor Alaa Tamimi announced that anyone breaking the fast could face a month in prison. Palestinian law, amended in 2011 but which dates back to Jordanian rule in the 1960s, dictates that those caught breaking the fast are to be jailed for a month, or fined $21.
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Since then, Palestinian police arrested a man in the northern West Bank town of Tubas for breaking the fast and another three men in Hebron for eating in a public place. A police statement said its officers had detained the three for "paying no respect to the feelings of those fasting."