Israel will now be able to take legal action against anyone raising funds or associating with the Islamic State terror organization in any way.
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon. (Photo: Flash90)
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon signed an official declaration on Wednesday which designates the Islamic State (IS) and the Lebanon-based Abdullah Azzam Brigades terrorist groups as unlawful organizations. The signing of the declaration was done in accordance with the recommendation of the Shabak (Israel’s Security Agency).
The designation allows for legal action and other measures against these organizations, prohibits meetings of any kind between Islamic State members and enables legal recourse against anyone fundraising for them or carrying other activities associated with these organizations. “This is being done for the sake of national security, public safety and public order,” the declaration states.
IS is gaining power and prominence throughout the Middle East, and the Sunni Abdullah Azzam Brigades has a long history of waging violent attacks against the Shiite Hezbollah.
Flying Symbols Associated with Terror Groups Prohibited
In this same venue, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein ruled that Israeli citizens who wave the flags or display other symbols associated with IS, Hamas, Hezbollah, or other terror organizations, will be subject to arrest and prosecution.
A report in Israel Hayom quoted a letter sent by Weinstein’s aides to members of the Ministry of Justice staff. The PLO flag was mentioned in the letter, but due to the “new relationship between Israel and the Palestinian Authority” it has a different status and seems to be exempted from this ruling, even though “the Palestine Liberation Organization was declared a terror organization many years ago and that designation has never been changed. Technically, flying the PLO flag is a crime, as that was legislated when the PLO was declared a terror group.”
The police should act against the flying of flags with terror symbols “if there is a possibility of public disorder or disturbance, or of danger to the public. If there is, police should take steps to remove the flags. In appropriate cases, charges may be made against perpetrators,” the letter states.
Hezbollah and Hamas and even IS flags are often seen at protests in Arab towns and especially on the Temple Mount. Such displays are often accompanied by rock throwing and other attacks.
Author: Aryeh Savir
Staff Writer, United with Israel