Former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem suspected of inciting terror

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Former Jerusalem Grand Mufti Sheikh Ekrim Saeed Sabri is under investigation for allegedly inciting terror while visiting the home of a Palestinian militant who killed an Israeli soldier. A spokesman for the Attorney General's Office told the Knesset Committee on Internal Affairs and the Environment that permission had been given for a criminal investigation into Sabri.

The announcement was made during a local government discussion of incitement to terrorism in response to a statement by the father of an IDF soldier killed in a 2017 car crash in Jerusalem, who asked why the controversial cleric was not under investigation.

Herzl Hadjaj, father of cadet Shir Hadjaj, who was killed in a terrorist attack in 2017 along with three other — Lieutenant Yael Yekutiel, Cadet Shira Tzur and Cadet Erez Orbach, — called Sabri “Israel's greatest instigator”.

A representative of the Attorney General explained to the deputies that, in accordance with the anti-terrorist legislation, in order to conduct an investigation, there must be a real possibility that the publication of words of praise, support or sympathy will lead to the commission of a terrorist act .

Last month, Sabri was questioned by police on suspicion of inciting terror over comments he made about the family of Palestinian militant Uday Tamimi, who shot and killed Sergeant Noah Lazar during an attack on a checkpoint in the Jerusalem area on October 8, 2022.

Tamimi was shot and killed while attempting to attack guards at the entrance to the Ma'ale Adumim settlement after a week of manhunts.

During a visit to Tamimi's home, Sabri encouraged other young Palestinians to join the “family of martyrs.” ; and said that such a status is “high and divine and should be aspired to.”

On January 2, Sabri was questioned by the police due to pressure from right-wing groups to investigate his comments He was released and later that month allowed to fly to Morocco, where he attended a conference.

Sabri has a history of run-ins with the law, mostly over fiery sermons in which he expressed support for terrorists suicide bombers and Holocaust denial.

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