RAMALLAH: Palestinian leaders have denounced the arrest of Sheikh Raed Salah, leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement by Israel as politically motivated, and called for his immediate release.
Salah was arrested at his home in Umm Al Fahm, northern Israel, in the early hours of August 15 on charges of inciting violence and supporting a banned organisation. On Monday, an Israeli court extended his detention until August 24.
The arrest was widely publicised in Israel, and senior figures in the government quickly praised the move. Israel Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said that Salah encouraged “extremism” and promoted violence and murder. The Communication Minister Ayoub Kara said that Salah should be deported from Israel.
At a court hearing on August 17, the police presented allegations that Salah gave inflammatory speeches, including one at a funeral for the three Palestinian citizens of Israel who killed two policemen outside Al-Aqsa Mosque on July 14.
His detention was extended until August 21, but the judge also stated that some of the quotes cited by the police as evidence of incitement were taken out of context, while some were Quranic verses.
The northern branch of the Islamic Movement, which Salah has led since its split from the southern branch in 1996, was declared an illegal organisation by Israel in November 2015. Israel accused the movement of working with the Gaza-based Hamas and leading a campaign of incitement that centred around Al-Aqsa Mosque. The charges were denied by Salah and the Israeli decision to ban the movement remains contentious.
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