Channel 10 News Arab Affairs correspondent Avi Yechezkel was interviewed by David Chacham and Betzalel Kahan of Kol Chai Radio, explaining his findings as he probed reports of provocation coming from mosques.

The interview took place at the beginning of the Muslim month of Ramadan, which this year coincided with a sharp escalation in Arab terror attacks. Yechezkel decided to see for himself, wondering where the incitement begins that led to the sharp increase in attacks and if ISIS ideology plays a role.

He stated that there can be no doubt that ISIS’ influence is alive in well in Israel, in mosques and on Har Habayis. “On Har Habayis I heard the shouts in support of ISIS”, which he explains calls for Islamic rule. Yechezkel explains that the terrorists do not just decapitate its victims, but is actively spreading its ideology and this is evident in mosques, which he adds have a major influence on the ideology of worshipers.

Yechezkel cites one example, a mosque in the Israeli Arab municipality of Um el-Fahm, where the sermon was one of total support for the murder of dozens of Egyptian soldiers by ISIS gunmen in Sinai. There are also calls to “conquer London and Washington and kill Jews” he explains.

Yechezkel, who is fluent in Arabic and has already gone undercover in Muslim communities in Europe, is regarded as an expert on the Islamic community. Interestingly, he is a long-time baal teshuvah and a follower of Rav Nachman.

Yechezkel stresses on Har Habayis there are no calls for love and brotherhood, but rather calls of ISIS control over the site and the ousting of all non-Muslim visitors. Yechezkel explains he has witnessed hostility towards visitors from Germany and other countries, as there is a growing sentiment to rid Har Habayis of all non-Muslims.

Yechezkel explains that while dressed as a Muslim and traveling in mosques and the Islamic European community he has learned a great deal of what is really taking place. He admits that because of his growing notoriety it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to go ‘undercover’ because too many people now recognize him. He state unequivocally that support for ISIS in the Muslim community is growing and this is evident to anyone who is inside and simply listens to the calls from mosques.

“One of the problems today is that Islam is fighting for its identity and there is no one high authority who can come out and declare ‘enough of ISIS’ and this is the reality as the ISIS influence appears to be growing worldwide” Yechezkel explains, stating there are many in the Islamic community who are not thrilled over the terrorist influence but it does appear in the big picture, they remains powerless to combat this popular growing trend.

In the beginning of the interview Yechezkel was asked if ISIS’ influence is coming to Israel, to which he responded the influence has long penetrated into the country and it seems to be growing.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)