Israeli forces have detained the Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque and former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Ikrima Sabri at his house in East Jerusalem for interrogation. This action was taken hours after he mourned Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh during Friday prayer.
The Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, confirmed the detention, stating that Sabri is currently being interrogated by Israeli police. Sabri's lawyer, Khalid Zabarqeh, emphasized that the 85-year-old did not violate any laws in his sermon and expressed that there is no legal basis for his detention, labeling it as a form of political persecution.
Following Sabri's expression of mourning for Haniyeh, Israeli Minister of Interior Moshe Arbel called for the revocation of Sabri's residency, alleging that he does not align with the state of Israel and its citizens, but rather aims to undermine them.
The Israeli police have initiated an investigation into Sabri's sermon to determine if there are grounds for suspicion of incitement. Ben Gvir welcomed the investigation, characterizing Sabri's speech as 'inflammatory.'
During the Friday sermon, Sabri offered a prayer for God to accept Ismail Haniyeh as a 'martyr' and announced an absentee funeral prayer for him and other Palestinians who have been killed. It is noted that the term 'martyr' is commonly used to refer to Palestinians who have died at the hands of Israeli forces.
