Former Umm al-Fahm mayor denied trip to Mecca over Hamas contacts
Dr. Suleiman Agbaria wished to travel to Saui Arabia for pilgrimage but was denied by State, which cited possible compromise to security as reason
The State of Israel is refusing to allow former Umm al-Fahm mayor Dr. Suleiman Agbaria to travel to Saudi Arabia fearing he may compromise state security, This, according to a response filed by the State Prosecutor's Office with the High Court of Justice following Agbraia's petition. The matter will be discussed by the court on Thursday.
The Meezaan Center for Human Rights filed a petition requesting that the interior minister be forced to explain the State's refusal to allow Agbaria to travel to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage. Agbaria claimed that he was served with an order preventing any overseas travel for a period of five and a half months, just a day before his planned trip to Mecca.
The former mayor tried to revise the order's conditions but was unsuccessful.
Agbaria's attorney Hassan Tabaja appealed the sweeping nature of the order and the fact that it had been served only 12 hours prior to his client's flight. He further opposed the use of the "harm to state security" explanation and demanded a "more satisfactory" argument.
"It is impossible to ignore the tyrannical nature of various emergency stipulations as means for oppression and annulment of rights and liberties by the government. When these means are used against a minority population, the abuse becomes particularly grave," Tabaja stated in the petition.
Confidential information points to Hamas
The State responded that the order had been based on confidential information presented to the interior minister, which suggested a concrete concern that Agbraia's departure may compromise Israel's security. The information, held by security forces, indicated that the former mayor has contacts with Hamas, and could be presented as evidence during a hearing on the petition.
The State also claimed that Agbraia's need for the pilgrimage is not pressing enough so as to override security considerations.
In January 2005 the former mayor was released from custody after a year and a half, after being convicted transferring funds to charity organizations deemed "illegal." Hundreds of followers of the Islamic Movement welcomed him with flowers upon his release, which was later celebrated in Umm al-Fahm.
Sharon Roffe-Ofir contributed to this report
