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Israel punishes Muslim incitement, ignores Jewish one

Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Raed Salah was convicted of inciting terrorism, yet Israeli authorities systematically ignore incitement by Jewish far-right activists.

Leader of the northern Islamic Movement Sheikh Raed Salah gestures as he leaves the district court in Jerusalem October 27, 2015. The Arab Israeli Muslim leader, seen by Israel as a powerful voice stoking Palestinian anger over a Jerusalem holy site, was ordered jailed for 11 months on Tuesday for comments he made in 2007. Sheik Raed Salah, leader of the Islamic Movement's northern section was convicted for incitement to violence in 2013, the Justice Ministry said, charges he denied. His attorney said he wo
Leader of the northern Islamic Movement Sheikh Raed Salah gestures as he leaves the district court, Jerusalem, Oct. 27, 2015. — REUTERS/Ammar Awad

Sheikh Raed Salah, former head of the northern branch of Israel's Islamic Movement, was convicted Nov. 24 of inciting terrorism and support for illegal organizations by the Haifa Magistrates Court. Salah had received a suspended sentence on a prior conviction and is therefore now expected to serve jail time.

According to Salah’s bill of indictment, Salah delivered a speech during the funerals of three terrorists from his city (Umm al-Fahm) who, in July 2017, murdered two border policemen in Jerusalem. Salah said: “At these moments [we need to stand together] as one house, as one family. We take leave of our martyrs and express the wish that they join the prophets, the righteous ones and the martyrs. At these moments, may we pray that God increases their value in the heavens in paradise. In the Garden of Eden above, God himself will honor them by drinking water together with the Prophet Muhammad.’’

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