Islamic Movement chief to serve 11-month prison sentence
Appeal of Raed Salah, the Islamic Movement's northern branch leader, rejected by Jerusalem district court.
Salah was convicted of inciting violence, following a sermon he gave during Friday prayers in Jerusalem in 2007. He was initially sentenced to eight months in prison, but state prosecutors appealed, and his sentence was increased to 11 months.
Former MK Mohammad Barakeh said of the court's decision: "This is a political trial. The decision is pointed at the Arab public as a whole, because it puts the political legitimacy of Arab political parties and movements in question.
About two weeks ago, Salah attempted to fly to Turkey for a conference, but was stopped by airport security, who informed him that a warrant was in effect that forbade him from leaving the country. The warrant was signed by Minister of the Interior Silvan Shalom, who said that there are serious national security concerns regarding Salah's leaving the country.
During the current terrorism wave, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he intends to take harsher measures in combating the Islamic Movement, claiming it was responsible for the incitement that led to the wave's beginning. The government has begun taking steps to outlaw the movement.
