On 17 November, the Israeli government announced its decision to outlaw the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel. Under the measure, association, membership, and material support for the group are considered criminal offenses. Additionally, the decision allows Israel to confiscate any property belonging to the movement. Following the decision, Israel closed 17 branches of the movement and searched many of the group’s offices, confiscating computers, files, and cash. The Islamic Movement is officially accused of “incitement” based on its routine accusations that Israel is attempting to change the status quo at Haram al-Sharif in Jerusalem.
The following interview with Shaykh Ra’id Salah, the leader of the northern branch, was first published by the Journal in 2007. Conducted by Jamil Dakwar, now director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Human Rights Program, the interview focuses on the foundations of the Islamic Movement and Israel’s crackdown on Salah and the northern branch, providing historical context for Israel’s ban of the movement.
