Israel detains "peace radio" staff over licence

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli police on Monday detained about a dozen employees from an English-language radio station in Jerusalem that was set up to encourage dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians.

An Israeli Communications Ministry spokesman said RAM FM was being closed down because it did not have a correct licence.

Staff at the station declined comment but continued to broadcast on one of its two frequencies -- apparently from the main studio in the Palestinian West Bank city of Ramallah.

Set up a year ago with backing from a South African station that aimed to foster racial reconciliation after apartheid, RAM FM hopes its mix of phone-ins, music and news can help build links over the airwaves between Israelis and Palestinians.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said staff from the Jerusalem studio were being questioned.

Israel has been trying to clean up broadcasting frequencies. Pirate stations have been accused of interfering with air traffic control radios at the country's main airport.