Israel outlaws Islamic Movement in Palestine

Israel has resolved to outlaw a domestic Islamist movement with ties to Hamas and the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, according to a press release distributed early Tuesday morning by the Prime Minister's Office.

The government says that it has declared the northern branch of the Islamic Movement "an illegal organization."

"The practical significance of this decision is that any entity or individual belonging to the group from hereon out and any individual who grants this organization services or operates under its auspices will have violated a criminal statute and is subject to imprisonment," the government statement read.

The northern branch of the Islamic Movement is led by Sheikh Raed Salah, who has been convicted in court of numerous subversive activities, including funding Hamas, contacting an Iranian agent, assaulting a police officer, and leading a violent protest.

In recent months, Salah has been at the forefront of agitating against Israeli rule over the Al-Aqsa Mosque. His rallies frequently invoke the mantra of "Al-Aqsa is in danger."

The recent unrest between Israel and the Palestinians has been blamed on tensions surrounding the holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City, with the Israeli government issuing strenuous denials of claims that it is seeking to permit Jewish worship at the Al-Aqsa compound.

"For years, the Islamic Movement's northern branch has been waging a campaign of deceitful incitement under the banner of 'al-Aksa is in danger,' which blames Israel by falsely accusing it of intending to harm the Al-Aqsa mosque and to violate the status quo there," the government statement read."

"As part of these efforts, the northern branch formed groups of activists (Murabitun and Murabatat) whose job was to ignite provocations on Temple Mount," the government said. "These activities led to a significant rise in tensions on Temple Mount. A significant portion of the attacks that have been carried out recently were committed against the backdrop of this incitement and propaganda."