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Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, 2 Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5774, made the following remarks. The prime minister wishes to outlaw the northern branch of the Israel Islamic Movement for its pro-Hamas philosophy. In addition, members of the organization took place in an erev Shabbos protest outside Um el-Fahm, calling for the kidnapping of additional Jews towards freeing terrorists from Israeli prisons.

“Over there weekend there was a demonstration in Um el-Fahm in which infuriating calls and support for abducting IDF soldiers were heard. Most Israeli Arabs do not take this view and I call on their leaders to be courageous and strongly condemn such calls. As Israelis we cannot countenance such outrageous remarks that call for abducting Israeli soldiers. IDF soldiers protect all of us. We cannot accept infuriating calls to abduct IDF soldiers.

“In many cases, those behind such calls and demonstrations are from the northern branch of the Islamic Movement. It constantly preaches against the State of Israel and its people publicly identify with terrorist organizations such as Hamas. Therefore, I directed the relevant authorities to consider declaring the northern branch of the Islamic Movement an illegal organization. This would give the security authorities significant tools in the struggle against this movement.

“Over the weekend, the IDF attacked multiple targets in response to firing at Israel from Gaza. We are ready to expand this operation as per need. I would like to reiterate that from the moment the Palestinian unity government was established with the Hamas terrorist organization, the Palestinian Authority became responsible for preventing firing at our territory from Gaza.

“Over the weekend, the ISA revealed the identities of those responsible for the abduction of our three youths – Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frankel and we are continuing to do our utmost to bring them home safely.

“Immediately after the abduction, we said that Hamas was responsible. I think that it is now clear to everyone what we based ourselves. Abu Mazen says that he opposes abductions; he says that he wants to proceed on the path to peace. If he stands by what he says, there is only one way to advance peace – and that is to tear up his agreement with Hamas.”

MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi said that the prime minister is cynically abusing the kidnapping of the youths to declare the organization illegal.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)