The Nazareth Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 24 Elul 5772 sentenced a city imam, Nazim Abu Salim, to three years imprisonment following his conviction on charges of incitement to violence and terrorism against Jews and supporting al-Qaeda, a terrorist organization.

The court ruled the incitement by the imam contributed to the events leading to the murder of taxi driver Yafim Weinstein HY”D three years ago, for the imam would regularly blame the Jews for insulting Islam. “Where are the nations of the world to avenge the defamation of your messenger allah” he would say.

Justice Lily Young-Gefer referred to the case as “Among the most serious brought before the nation’s judicial system”, stating the words of incitement by the defendant penetrated the masses and slowly delivered his message of hate, which ultimately led to the loss of human life. Therefore, the court felt one cannot just disregard the imam’s words as simply entitlement under freedom of speech.

The defendant told the court he does not recognize its authority and only recognizes the court’s authority and rulings of the Koran.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)