Interior Minister Aryeh Deri signed an order prohibiting Sheikh Raid Salah from leaving Israel. Salah, who has been imprisoned in Israel numerous times for his Hamas ties, and is currently serving a term, heads the northern branch of the Israel Islamic Association. Salah is scheduled for release from jail on Tuesday, 19 Teves.

Deri used his authority based on emergency law, and the order signed goes into effect on Tuesday, timed to coincide with Salah’s release and it expires in six months. Deri explains that permitting Salah to leave the country would pose a threat to state security based on his past and his terrorist ties.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)