Israeli intelligence question Sheikh Raed Salah and his deputy

Israeli intelligence will question the leader of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement political party in Israel, Sheikh Raed Salah, and his deputy Sheikh Kamal Al-Khatib today, Arab48.com reported.

Israeli intelligence did not give details about why they are questioning the two senior leaders but Arab48.com said that the measures are in line with Israeli attempts to liquidate the political activities of Palestinian citizens of Israel, as well as damage the political, national and Islamic movements in the country.

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Israeli authorities have repeatedly arrested Salah in recent years, outlawed the Islamic Movement and shut down charities and other organisations over alleged links to the group.

“We will remain alive despite all the attempts to undermine our activities,” Sheikh Salah said. “Today, they sent me an order to attend the police station in Al-Khudeira but I told them through my lawyer that I would not go because I have pre-scheduled [plans],” he said.

Salah also said that he received a notice from the Israeli interior minister informing him that his travel ban had been renewed for an extra six months. “My constant response [is]: we will remain alive,” he said.

Since 2015 Israel has imposed a travel restriction on Salah for allegations relating to national security. The ban has been extended several times.

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Last week Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said he had renewed the travel ban imposed on Sheikh Salah and Islamic Movement official Suleiman Mahajneh over security reasons. The Israeli minister claimed that Salah and Mahajneh pose a danger to Israel’s security.