The lawyer for Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, reported that Israeli police decided to release him. He added that the Palestinian police issued an administrative order banning him from the Al-Aqsa Mosque until Sunday, with a decision that can be renewed for six months.
Israeli forces had arrested Sheikh Ikrima Sabri from his home in Jerusalem following an investigation prompted by his eulogy for the head of Hamas's political bureau during Friday prayers. The police stated in a release, "After the approval of the public prosecutor, we opened an investigation with the imam who is suspected of having made statements related to Ismail Haniya, the former leader of the terrorist organization Hamas, and the police began examining suspicions of incitement and support for terrorism during the Friday noon prayer."
His lawyer Hamza Qataina said: "Israeli police arrested Sheikh Ikrima Sabri from his home in East Jerusalem and took him to the Moskobiya (a security interrogation center of the internal security service Shin Bet). The investigation will address suspicions of inciting terrorism." He added, "During the Friday sermon, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri eulogized Ismail Haniya and referred to him as a martyr."
Israeli police released photos and videos of Sheikh Ikrima Sabri during his arrest. The police stated, "This is not the first time the police have referred the imam for suspicion of engaging in incitement for investigation." Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir commented after Sabri's arrest, "The police arrested Sheikh Ikrima Sabri after he incited at Al-Aqsa and eulogized the great murderer Haniya; he is under investigation." He continued, "My policy towards inciters is clear—there is no forgiveness—and I am pleased to see its implementation."
The Israeli public prosecutor presented an indictment against Sheikh Ikrima Sabri at the end of last month "after he incited terrorism and praised terrorists," as announced at the time.
