Islamic Movement in Israel rejects proposed legislative ban

The northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel has affirmed that its legitimacy stems from “true Islam” and its popularity stems from the people inside Palestine, after a legislative proposal to outlaw the movement in Israel was submitted, Anadolu news agency reported.

In a written statement, a copy of which was obtained by Anadolu, the movement pointed out that: “Once again, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has issued threats and vowed to outlaw the Islamic Movement under Israeli law. This, of course, is not the first time and he is not the only official in the reckless Israeli leadership to call for this.”

“But once again,” the movement stressed, “we reiterate the same response we have given in the past: the movement’s legitimacy stems from true Islam and its popularity comes from our people inside Palestine, in their homes, neighbourhoods, villages and cities.”

Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported on Tuesday morning that Alex Miller, a member of the Israeli Knesset, had submitted a proposal on Monday for a bill, supported by Lieberman, to outlaw the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel.

The northern branch is headed by Sheikh Raed Salah and is widely popular amongst the Arabs in Israel, but does not participate in the Israeli Knesset elections, unlike other Arab parties in Israel.

According to official statistics, the Arab population in Israel is about 1.7 million citizens, which makes up over 20 per cent of Israel’s total population of 8 million.

According to the Turkish news agency, the Israeli newspaper quoted part of the bill’s text, which read: “Recently, we’ve witnessed the strengthening of radical Islam in our region, spreading a lot of death and destruction while demolishing the rule of law. The northern branch of the Islamic Movement is openly undermining the sovereignty of the State of Israel, while making cynical use of the institutions and basic values of a Jewish and democratic country.”

The bill proposal went on to say that: “As time goes by, we can see that the activity of the northern branch is leading to violence and provocation in the Arab minority in Israel, while maintaining close ties with the terror organisation Hamas. This activity is even more destructive, as it is being done from within the state’s institutions.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously declared his support for outlawing the northern branch of the Islamic Movement.

The bill must be voted on in three readings before it becomes a law.

If the bill were to be approved after the vote, this would mean that the northern branch’s offices and bank accounts would be closed and any activities or affiliation with it would be banned.

However, in a statement, the northern branch of the Islamic Movement responded by saying: “Your threats will not only make us more determined to keep our positions, but will also make us more insistent to move forward with our projects that aim to protect and preserve our people, the land, the buildings and the sanctities, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

It is worth noting that the Islamic Movement in Israel has two branches. The first is the northern branch which boycotts Israeli elections, and the second is the southern branch headed by a member of the Knesset, Ibrahim Sarsour, which participates in the elections and which Israel considers to be a legal movement.