Israel bans Islamic Movement leader from Jerusalem

The head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, Sheikh Kamal Al-Khatib, has been banned from entering Jerusalem for six months following an order issued by the head of the Israeli army’s Central Command.

The order issued by Major General Nitzan Alon came into effect on Tuesday and will remain valid until May 25 next year.

In a press release issued yesterday, the Islamic Movement said: “As part of the Israel’s fierce and extensive campaign against Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem in general, an order was issued banning Sheikh Kamal Al-Khatib, the deputy head of the Islamic Movement, from entering Jerusalem for six months, starting from November 25, 2014, until May 25, 2015. The military order was issued by the head of the Israeli army’s Central Command.”

“We denounce this step,” the movement’s press release added, “and other arbitrary Israeli steps against the Islamic Movement in particular. Prior to this step, Sheikh Raed Salah was banned from entering Jerusalem and from traveling outside the country, a ban that was renewed this week. Also, Dr Soliman Ahmed was banned from traveling. And now, Israel’s security authorities have summoned a number of the movement’s leaders for interrogation.”

Over the past two years, the Israeli army has issued hundreds of deportation orders against Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem and Arab villages and cities in Israel. The orders’ duration vary from weeks to months and they stipulate staying away from Al-Aqsa and East Jerusalem.

Sheikh Al-Khatib lives in Kafr Kanna in northern Israel.

The Islamic Movement said: “All these steps come against the backdrop of the [alleged] crime of expressing solidarity with Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

“Israel is mistaken to believe that these steps and others – such as banning the activities of organisations operating in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque – could enable it to control Al-Aqsa. Al-Aqsa has its people from among the Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims. They will not abandon it no matter what Israel does.”

No statements were issued by the Israeli army regarding this decision.