Israel Police presented new evidence on Thursday suggesting Sheikh Raed Salah abu Shakra, leader of the outlawed Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, could be indicted on additional charges of incitement and unlawful association.
The new investigation conducted in early January followed a string of publications in media outlets, websites and social networks, all of them after the 2015 ban on the organization, as well as statements by Salah himself hinting at the continued existence of the movement and his role in it. Police also said Salah has made statements on a variety of issues relating to core principles of the movement.
Salah has been serving a nine-month sentence for racism and incitement since May 2016 for an incendiary sermon he delivered in 2007 accusing Jews of using children’s blood to bake bread. He is scheduled to be released next month.
The investigation began with approval from the State Attorney’s Office, and according to the police produced enough prima facie evidence attributing the alleged offenses to Sheikh Salah. The results of the investigation were transferred to the Haifa district attorney for review and a decision about an additional indictment.