The head of the Israel Islamic Association Northern Branch, Sheikh Raid Salah was in court this week as the government moves to declare his organization illegal. Salah is no stranger to Israeli courts of prisons for he has been in both in connection with his terrorist-related actions and convictions.

During this week’s proceeding the sheik was released to house arrest and informed he may not leave the country.

Not wasting time in his defiance of Israeli authorities, the sheikh was in Ben-Gurion Airport on Wednesday evening 1 Cheshvan, just a few hours following his court appearance. He was trying to leave the country but was prevented from doing so as his name was flagged on border authority computers. The order barring him from leaving Israel was signed by Interior Minister Silvan Shalom.

Shalom explains that evidence substantiates ears that if permitted to leave the country, Salah will compromise Israel’s security.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)