After the Security Cabinet outlawed the Northern Branch of the Israel Islamic Movement due to its Hamas-related activities, Israel’s Peace Now organization, which identifies with the radical left-wing, released a statement condemning the move, labeling it “demagogic and anti-democratic”.

The organization’s statement added “Until now, the Islamic Movement acted openly in political and religious public and visible to all. Not by chance, the heads of the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) had reservations about issuing this movement outlawed and for many months recommended to the government not to lower underground mass movement which has tens of thousands of supporters among Arab citizens of Israel. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu took advantage of the atmosphere of hysteria following the atrocity in Paris to make a demagogic grab a cheap and quick public gain amid a frightened and confused atmosphere at the expense of long-term serious damage. History in many different places around the world proves – as the government manages to outlaw despised and unpopular political movements, movements with different ideas will continue to operate. ”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)