Israel police arrest Ramadan dawn-awakeners for 'public disturbance' in Jerusalem

Israeli police have arrested three Palestinians in Jerusalem's Old City on charges of "public disturbance" for waking up Muslims to begin their fasts at dawn during Ramadan.

Security forces detained the three musaharatis on Sunday, before releasing them under the condition they would stop waking people up for pre-dawn meals.

The group were arrested after Israeli settlers complained the men were creating a disturbance, one of the men told The New Arab's Arabic-language service on Monday.

"This isn't the first time we have been harassed by Israeli soldiers. They have always obstructed our work," Mohamed Badr said.

"They arrested us on charges of disturbing the settlers and waking them up from their sleep. We reject these charges because what we do is part of Jerusalem's Ramadan traditions," he added.

The musaharati or dawn awakener shout and beat drums to wake Muslims up for suhour - the meal eaten before the sun rises when Muslims begin their daily fast during Ramadan.

Israeli authorities have long been accused of attempting to curb the religious freedom of Palestinians.

In 2016, lawmakers discussed limiting the volume of calls to prayer at mosques.

The bill was only shelved after a minister argued it could affect similar loud Jewish prayers.

Palestinian Israelis, the descendants of Palestinians who remained on their land when Israel was created in 1948, make up around 20 percent of the Israeli population.