Israel Charges Al-Aqsa Imam with Terror Incitement

The imam of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, has vehemently rejected what he calls a “fabricated” campaign against him, following charges of inciting terrorism. Sabri, 85, who previously served as mufti of Jerusalem and now leads the Supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem, delivers sermons at the contentious holy site.

He faces accusations of inciting terrorism for allegedly praising Palestinian gunmen involved in deadly attacks. One incident involved an attacker in Maale Adumim in October 2022, where a soldier was killed, and another incident in Tel Aviv in April 2022, where three Israelis were killed and six wounded.

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The justice ministry announced an indictment, stating that Sabri had expressed sympathy and support for these attackers during visits to their families. Sabri, however, refuted these claims, asserting that his visits were simply to offer condolences and not an endorsement of violence.

“This is a false accusation; the indictment is fabricated and malicious,” Sabri declared in response. His lawyer, Khaled Zabarqa, denounced the indictment as politically motivated persecution, emphasizing that Sabri has been targeted for the past two years.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known as the Temple Mount to Jews, is a highly sensitive religious site, considered the third holiest in Islam and the holiest for Jews. Located in occupied East Jerusalem, its status is a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians seeking East Jerusalem as their capital.

Officially, Jews are allowed to visit but not pray at the site, which has sparked tensions and violence in the past. Many Palestinians fear Israeli attempts to increase control over the area, highlighting its significance in the ongoing political and religious disputes.