Israeli Police Detain Top Muslim Cleric in Jerusalem

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 15, 2002

Israeli Police Detain Top Muslim Cleric in Jerusalem

Israeli police on Tuesday detained Ikrima Sabri, the mufti of Jerusalem, on suspicion of incitement for suicide bombing attacks against Israel, Israeli media reported.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Israeli police on Tuesday detained Ikrima Sabri, the mufti of Jerusalem, on suspicion of incitement for suicide bombing attacks against Israel, Israeli media reported.

Sabri, the appointed Palestinian mufti or chief Islamic cleric of the city, has a long track record of making extremist remarks against Israel, the reports said.

The police detained Sabri on Tuesday morning under the order of Attorney General Eliakim Rubinstein to question him about an interview he gave to the Palestinian El Ayam daily on June 1, a police spokesman said.

During the interview, Sabri reportedly voiced support for Palestinian suicide bombings, asserting that "suicide bombings are a legitimate Palestinian right against Zionist occupation."

The mufti is also accused of saying there is no religious ban on suicide bombings, which he also termed as a "legitimate right of self-defense."

Sabri's son Obedah said his father was arrested for his sermon last Friday at the Al Aqsa mosque, in which he criticized Israeli restrictions that prevented anyone under 40 years old from attending Friday prayers.

Sabri is expected to be released within a couple of hours. The police are to decide later whether to press charges against him on grounds of incitement.

Questions?Comments? Click here

China's Automaker Invests in GM-Daewoo Joint Venture ( 2 Messages)

At least 182 Dead in Indonesian Island Blast: President ( 2 Messages)

Multinationals Fight for Chinese Markets ( 80 Messages)

China Opposes US Congress Committee's Interference in China's Internal Affairs ( 33 Messages)

Fewer Slogans, More Practical, Reflect Social Changes in China ( 31 Messages)