Israeli Authorities Detain Jerusalem Imam Who Eulogized Hamas Chief as a ‘Martyr’

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel called for the removal of Sabri’s residency permit permanently.

By Shula Rosen
Israeli authorities had detained Al-Aqsa imam Sheikh Ekrima Sabri on charges of incitement and showing support for terrorism when he eulogized Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Jerusalem and referred to him as a “martyr.”

Sabri, who was the former grand mufti of Jerusalem, called Haniyeh, one of the masterminds behind the October 7th attack, a “martyr” and said, “We ask Allah to have mercy on him and place him in paradise.”

During the imam’s speech, the crowd chanted repeatedly, “Allah is great” and “With blood, we shall redeem the martyr.”

Israeli policed launched an investigation  on suspicion that Sabri made “inciting statements and supporting terrorism during a sermon given today at the midday prayer on the Temple Mount.”

Sabri was taken from his home to the  Jerusalem District Central Investigations Unit.

Another person was arrested on the Temple Mount for statements that seemed intended to incite terror.

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel contacted Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and said he would remove Sabri’s residency permit permanently since he has shown a pattern of antisemitism and incitement.

The 85-year-old does not hold Israeli citizenship.

“Sabri holds a permit to reside permanently in Israel, which for many years now has not stopped him from inciting against the state, promoting antisemitism and terrorism and committing serious security crimes,” wrote Arbel.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz also reprimanded the ambassador of Turkey after the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv lowered its flag to half mast to mourn Haniyeh.

Katz told embassy workers that if they wanted to mourn Haniyeh the should “go mourn him in Turkey.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday declared Friday, Aug 2, a day of national mourning over the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

He also referred to him as a martyr, and demanded revenge for his death.

“In order to show our support for the Palestinian cause and our solidarity with our Palestinian brothers, a day of national mourning has been declared tomorrow (Friday, August 2) due to the martyrdom of Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh,” Erdogan posted on X/Twitter.

“I remember with mercy Ismail Haniyeh and all the Palestinian martyrs, and I offer my condolences to the Palestinian people on behalf of myself and my nation,” he added.

Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!

Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!

Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.

Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!

STAND WTH ISRAEL - MAKE A DONATION TODAY!