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Sheikh Raed Salah (file photo)
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| By Israel Insider staff and partners February 16, 2007 |
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Dozens of masked Muslim youths attacked security forces and reporters in east Jerusalem's Wadi Joz neighborhood early Friday afternoon, throwing stones and blocking streets with burning garbage bins. The protesters had been listening to a sermon delivered by Islamic Movement head Sheikh Raed Salah, an Israeli citizen, at a massive protest rally in the neighborhood, just north of the Old City.
Police dispersed the rioters with stun grenades, tear gas and water hoses. One rioter was hurt and three were arrested in that disturbance, Israel Radio reported.
Elsewhere in Jerusalem, some 15-20 Muslim youths were arrested in sporadic acts of violence as police tried to prevent hostilities at this week's Friday prayers. Police were reportedly generally pleased with the relative quiet around the Old City.
After police identified stone-throwers over the age of 40 on the Temple Mount during last week's rioting, entrance was further restricted to Muslims with Israeli citizenship: males over the age of 50, and women over 40.
Israeli Islamic leader: Israel's leaders drenched in blood
Salah urged supporters to start a third intifada to "save al-Aksa Mosque, free Jerusalem and end the occupation." In an apparent reference to the resurrected "blood libel" that Jews in medieval times used the blood of Christians tp make their Passover matza, he said Israel's history was drenched with blood. "They want to build their temple at a time when our blood is on their clothes, on their doorsteps, in their food and in their drinks. Our blood has passed from one 'Terrorist General' to another 'Terrorist General,'" the Islamic Movement chief screamed, an apparent reference to the changeover of the Israel Defense Forces' Chief of Staff earlier in the week.
Salah is an Israeli citizen. He said that the prophets of ancient Israel would have forsaken the modern Israeli state. He warned the Jewish people "not to gamble with its destiny" and promised the crowd that the "statue of power and the statue of occupation" would both be shattered.
Salah quoted assassinated Hamas-leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, saying: "The powerful won't remain powerful forever and the weak won't remain weak. Yassin was not available for comment.
One of the most vocal opponents of the Mughrabi Gate project, Salah was barred by a court from coming within 60 meters of the Old City walls following a violent protest 10 days ago.
On Monday, the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court accepted a police request that he be barred from coming within 150 meters of the walls for 60 days.
Salah said he did not recognize the authority of the Israeli decision. "They have no right to make decisions on anything connected to the Al-Aqsa Mosque," he said. "I emphasize that I will enter the mosque at any time I think is right."
But Salah apparently did not think the "time is right" and stayed away from the area.
Israeli politicians express outrage at Salah remarks
Salah's comments drew fire from political leaders, Haaretz reported. MK Effi Eitam (National Union-National Religious Party) called Salah a "ticking bomb under the fabric of relations between Israeli Arabs and the State of Israel." He called on the government to deal with Salah and his Israeli organization as an enemy. "Israel must sever the dangerous alliance between the Islamic Movement and Israel's enemies that seek its destruction," said Eitam.
Jerusalem Affairs Minister Yaacov Edri called on Salah to be placed under administrative detention. "Salah is engaging in serious incitement against the State of Israel," said Edri.
Yisrael Beiteinu MK David Rotem called on Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and Police Chief Moshe Karadi to arrest Salah and ask the court to imprison him until the end of legal proceedings, saying that "once he has served his sentence, his citizenship must be revoked and he must be expelled from Israel."
National Union-NRP MK Zevulon Orlev called for Salah to be tried in court. "[Salah's] comments are the result of negligence and forgivingness on the part of the courts and prosecution regarding the Arab public's leaders," he said.
Labor MK Danny Yatom also called for Salah to be tried for incitement. Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yonah Metzger called for Salah to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for the remarks which he said are "based on lies and anti-Semitism." |
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