Israel Detains Prominent Palestinian Cleric in Umm Al-Fahm

Neighbors said large number of Israeli forces stormed into Mahajaneh neighborhood of the city and searched the residence, and detained Raed Saleh for questioning, Al Waght reported.

The 59-year Palestinian cleric, who spearheads campaigns against plans to Jerusalem particularly the al-Aqsa Mosque, has been repeatedly detained and imprisoned by Tel Aviv.

One neighbor told a local news site that the whole neighborhood was filled with police cars that were blocking the streets. “At first, I thought there was a murder,” he said.

Salah, who in 1989, 1993 and 1997 has served as the mayor of Umm al-Fahm, was jailed by Israeli for a two-year period, from 2003 to 200. In 2010, he served a five-month sentence after being convicted of leading an anti-Israeli demonstration.

The head of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement, was also imprisoned in 2016 for nine months and was released from prison in January 2017.

Tel Aviv outlawed Islamic Movement in 48 Palestine's northern branch in November 2015, accusing the group of having links to terrorist groups and inciting a wave of violence.

 “Any person who belongs to this organization or who provides services to it or who acts within its framework is henceforth committing a criminal offense punishable by a prison sentence,” a cabinet statement said at the time. The move also allowed for the confiscation of all property belonging to the group.

Source: farsnews.com