Netanyahu: Ban on Islamic Movement will remain despite protests

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that his government will not revoke a decision to ban the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement led by Sheikh Raed Salah despite protests.

“I have lately heard voices rising from certain segments of the population against the decision, but it will not change the decision by a millimetre. We are adhering to this decision, just as we are determined to pass that nationality law that will clearly delineate Israel as a Jewish democratic state, as the national home of the Jewish people,” Netanyahu said at the beginning of the Cabinet meeting.

Arab cities in Israel witnessed demonstrations in protest against the Israeli government’s decision to outlaw the Islamic Movement which came into effect on 16 November.

Netanyahu also said he does not intend to hand over any territory to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

“There won’t be any transfer of territory to the Palestinians, not 40,000 [dunams or 10,000 acres], not 10,000 and not even one metre,” he said.

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu intends to “unilaterally” hand over land to the Palestinian Authority.

Netanyahu is scheduled to leave Israel today heading for Paris, France, where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Francois Hollande as well as the prime ministers of Japan, Canada, Australia and Poland.