BREAKING NEWS

Islamic Movement ban 'declaration of war,' says Arab MK

Reacting to the decision by the Israeli government to outlaw the Islamic Movement's northern branch, both Arab MKs and the Movement itself have on Tuesday come out with strong opposition to the move.
According to Israel Radio, MK Taleb Abu Arar (Joint List) warned that the outlawing of the northern branch was a "declaration of war" against the Arab sector of the country, and that the Israeli government will bear responsibility for this.
In a statement, the leadership denounced the step to outlaw the northern branch as another step the Israeli establishment's "policy" against the movement and its leaders. In addition, the statement criticized a raid conducted by security forces on the Movement's offices.
The leader of the northern branch, Sheikh Raed Salah, denounced the measures as "repressive," and claimed that the Islamic Movement will continue to exist and adhere to all the principles on which it was formed. First and foremost among them, Jerusalem and al-Aksa Mosque.
"I will take every possible legitimate step, in Israel and internationally, to remove the measures taken against the Movement," Salah stated.
Salah is expected to start an 11 month prison sentence next week, having been convicted of incitement, violence and racism in a speech he made eight years ago. Last month his appeal was rejected.
MK Ahmad Tibi (Joint List) said that the decision was a political move by the right-wing government, which is responsible for the current deterioration and is looking for a scapegoat in the form of the Islamic movement. Tibi also claimed that the government was cynically exploiting the terrible crimes in Paris to further its own aims.