The highest-ranking Palestinian Muslim cleric Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the Mufti of Jerusalem said on Saturday a plan by the Israeli government's judicial advisor to prosecute him for meeting Hizbollah leaders and making some statements
Israel terms as an instigation, would be yet another escalation that would further complicate matters.
According to him, "it is our right to express our opinion" adding that "bringing this issue before the courts is a violation of the basic human rights." The Mufti added the Israelis who called for killing or expelling Arabs are those who should be punished.
In mid-September, Sabri was held on suspicion of meeting with the secretary general of the Lebanese Hizbollah movement, Hassan Nasrallah, and for suspected incitement against Israel in remarks made during sermons in Al Aqsa Mosque.
The mufti was detained by Jerusalem police investigators and was taken to a station for questioning.
Sabri said in sermons that the White House would turn black, with God's help, and that America, England and Israel should be destroyed, Israel Radio quoted him as saying at the time.
The mufti is a senior appointee of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. His detention was seen as another Israeli challenge to the Palestinian Authority's efforts to establish a presence in the disputed city.
Police said that Sabri was being questioned on suspicion of having contact with a foreign agent, travel without a permit to an enemy country and incitement. – Albawaba.com
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
