Police investigate Jerusalem mosque imam for incitement for praising Haniyeh

The Israeli Police opened an investigation this Friday for incitement against the imam Ekrima Sabri for praising the late Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh during a prayer in his honor at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque, the same day the terrorist leader was buried in Doha.

“He is suspected of having made statements inciting and supporting terrorism during a sermon delivered today during midday prayer on the Temple Mount. The imam has been transferred for interrogation by the Jerusalem district central unit.", the Police reported in a statement.

The imam was detained for questioning but the Police have not reported whether he has already been released.

The Police opened their investigation as soon as the prosecutor's office approved the opening of the investigation into these charges, explained a police spokesperson, who He explained that this is not the first time that Imam Sabri has been investigated for incitement and the State Prosecutor's Office already presented an accusation against him a few months ago for incitement and glorification of terrorism.

“The policy I outlined for the police is clear: act with zero tolerance for any manifestation of incitement. "That's how it was and that's how with God's help it will continue to be.", stated in X the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, who is in charge of the police forces.

In a second message, Ben Gvir boasted that the “imam of murderers” had to give a statement at the police station in front of the Israeli flag, along with a photo from the moment of the interrogation, with the suspect's face blurred.

In his sermon, Sabri noted that "the inhabitants of Jerusalem" They had in their prayers "martyr" Haniyeh, for whom he asked "mercy". "We ask that you receive compassion and paradise", indicated the Muslim preacher hours before the Hamas leader was buried today in the Lusail cemetery in Doha, where he had lived since 2019.

Hamas Yesterday he called for a “day of fury” for the death of his leader, died on Wednesday, the victim of an attack in Tehran, against the building where he was staying after attending the inauguration of President Masud Pezeshkian.

Agencies contributed to this Aurora article.