Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., August 26, 2008 Av 25, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:22 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Police shut Islamic Movement organ for reputed int'l links By Eli Ashkenazi and Yoav Stern Police and security personnel closed down an office yesterday in the northern town of Umm al-Fahm reputedly affiliated with the Islamic Movement and linked to Islamic organizations abroad. The closure order, drafted by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, described the organization operating there as an "unrecognized association." Police in the Jezreel Valley District said yesterday they suspect the Al-Aqsa Institute, founded in 2000 by movement leader Sheikh Ra'ad Saleh, to have been operating from the location. Advertisement Documents, money, computers and other equipment were seen being removed from the edifice, which were later transferred to the Shin Bet ecurity service. The Defense Ministry also issued instructions to freeze the organization's bank accounts. The police sources said that the group was operating in cooperation with the Hamas leadership in Jerusalem. Its activity was allegedly was funded in part by the "Charity Coalition," an umbrella group of hard-line Islamic foundations from around the world. Police also said that the coalition transferred to Hamas and Al-Aqsa large sums of money without proper documentation, through money changers, laundering and bank transfers. Al-Aqsa allegedly functions as the operational arm of Hamas's "Dawa" organization, providing financial and logistical support to operatives of the Islamist group in and around Jerusalem. "The cooperation with Hamas is expressed in cooperative action in Jerusalem and funding from illegal Hamas bodies," the police sources said. The leaders of the Islamic Movement's northern branch were convicted in 2003 of association with a terrorist group. The Movement's international links are at the center of a joint Shin Bet and police investigation that has been under way for several years. Sources in the organization denied the allegations against them yesterday, claiming that any actions they have undertaken were entirely legal. They told Haaretz that the group's links do indeed extend beyond the domestic political arena, a fact that they claim worries the Israeli ruling establishment. "The movement's deviance from the 'rules of the game' determined by the establishment is what is irritating Israel. We don't see the Knesset as our loftiest ambition, but are working far beyond that," said one member of the group. Sheikh Ra'ad Saleh likened the decision to ban the Al-Aqsa Institute to the ban levied on 36 Islamic foundations and organizations two months ago. "If you think that by closing 36 Arab and Muslim institutions, you will cut our links to the Muslim world you are wrong," he said. "We are an inseparable part of the Palestinian people, of the Arab world and of the Islamic umma [nation], and we will stay on our lands and in our homes." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Bad company Madonna draws ire for picturing John McCain near Hitler during a recent show. Raw energy An unemployed Israeli ecologist has a solution to the fuel crisis and global warming.

Read & React Gilad Shalit becomes punchline for jokes in the Gaza Strip Responses: 104 ANALYSIS / On verge of Rice visit, Israel and PA far from peace accord Responses: 28 Akiva Eldar: Let settlers who refuse evacuation in peace deal stay in Palestine Responses: 51 Israel not planning to detain activists' boats leaving Gaza Responses: 28 More Headlines 00:09 Obama: World must press Iran before Israel strikes 00:57 Abbas: No peace until all Palestinian prisoners released 18:21 Rice arrives in Israel in bid to push forward Israel-PA talks 23:03 Israel foiled the Gaza blockade-busting boat 'provocation' - but who gets the credit? 23:44 Barak puts Tel Aviv apartment up for sale for NIS 40 million 00:52 Hitler and McCain: Madonna's photo montage angers GOP presidential nominee 23:19 Can an unknown Israeli save the world from ecological disaster? 23:48 Israel to shut Gaza border crossings following Qassam strike 23:45 Gilad Shalit becomes punchline for jokes in the Gaza Strip 22:47 Mofaz slams Livni for supporting release of Palestinian prisoners 00:46 As convention kicks off, Democrats say U.S. Jews will overcome fears of Obama 20:47 Syrian FM: No headway made in negotiations with Israel 22:34 Israel Bank raises interest rate for second time in a month 22:25 Democratic Convention Notes: Meet Chinese Jewish candidate Hank Eng Previous Editions Select Day 25 aug 24 aug 22 aug 21 aug 20 aug 19 aug 18 aug 17 aug 15 aug 14 aug 13 aug 12 aug

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com MBA in Israel in English APPLY NOW! Limited spaces available Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved