Calls for Jewish detainee release

Fahima is alleged to have befriended a militant leader in Jenin

Israeli left-wing activists have demonstrated in Tel Aviv in support of an Israeli woman who has placed in administrative detention.

Tali Fahima was detained at the advice of the internal security in connection with "planning a terrorist attack against Israelis", police said.

The 29-year-old pro-Palestinian activist was arrested a month ago near the West Bank city of Jenin.

She can be held without charge or trial for an initial period of four months.

It is believed that Miss Fahima is the first Israeli Jew to be detained in connection with Palestinian militant activities since the beginning of the Palestinian uprising four years ago.

'Political persecution'

Her lawyer Smadar Ben Natan said the authorities were persecuting Miss Fahima for her political beliefs and said the detention order showed there was insufficient evidence for an indictment.

Dozens of protestors gathered outside the district tribunal, chanting slogans demanding the immediate release of Miss Fahima.

She is alleged to have befriended Zakaria Zubeidi, the leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Jenin, and one of Israel's most wanted Palestinian militants.

Administrative detention orders are usually imposed on Palestinians who have not been found guilty of any offence in a court of law, but whom the Israeli authorities do not want to release.

The orders can be renewed indefinitely by order of a judge.

There are about 750 Palestinians currently held under the same regulations in Israeli jails.