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Palestinians perform Friday prayer in front of Israel prison in solidarity with Sheikh Raed Salah

August 14, 2021 at 11:29 am

Arab-Israeli supporters of Sheikh Raed Salah, leader of the radical northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, pray during a gathering in protest against the arrest and detention of the Sheikh, outside the Israeli Rishon Lezion Justice court, near Tel Aviv on 17 August 2017. [JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images]

Tens of Palestinians from Israel performed Friday prayer in front of Ramon Prison in solidarity with Head of the Islamic Movement Sheikh Raed Salah, Arabi21 reported.

According to the news website, the Palestinians expressed their support for Sheikh Salah, who is being held in solitary confinement.

Friday Imam, Sheikh Mohammad Watad, asserted that the Israeli occupation: “Is targeting Sheikh Salah day and night and is seeking to get Al-Aqsa Mosque out of his mind.”

Watad reiterated: “The enemy does not want any existence for us, independent entity or peace. Even if we made peace with them, they would never make peace with you.”

He added: “The occupation wants the Palestinians to be dissolved in its state, but this will never happen as long as there is a single Palestinian on our occupied lands.”

Meanwhile, Sheikh Watad warned that the Israeli occupation is planning to end the life of Sheikh Salah, noting that he was subjected to several failed assassination attempts.

READ: Israel’s use of solitary confinement is inhumane and breaches international conventions

“We live in a crisis that will not end with the end of Sheikh Raed Salah,” Sheikh Watad expressed. “The Israeli occupation is targeting all the Palestinian leaders in the lands occupied in 1948.”

The Freedoms Committee of the High Follow Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel is planning a day of fasting next Thursday and will break the fast in front of Ramon Prison in solidarity with Sheikh Salah.

Sheikh Salah spent several periods inside Israeli jails over his support for Al-Aqsa Mosque and the principles and constants of the Palestinians.

He was first imprisoned in 1981, then again in 2003, 2020, 2011, 2016 and August 2017.

The leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel was indicted for incitement over his criticism of the erection of metal detectors at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

He was sentenced to 28 months in prison by an Israeli court. He served 11 months in jail, half of which were in solitary confinement, before he was moved to house arrest. He then returned to prison after two years under house arrest.