State Prosecutor Eran Shendar told police Thursday to open a criminal investigation into Sheikh Ra'ad Salah, head of the Islamic Movement northern branch, for incitement to violence, incitement to racism and sedition.

Salah called last Friday for an "intifada" to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Avi Dichter asked Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to investigate whether Salah's comments constitute incitement and sedition. Mazuz then asked Shendar to determine whether there were grounds for an investigation.

	Advertisement

In a fiery speech at his protest tent in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Wadi Joz, Salah accused Israel of attempting to build the Temple on the Temple Mount while drenched in Arab blood.

"Israeli history is drenched in blood," Salah said. "They want to build their Temple while our blood is on their clothing, on their doorposts, in their food and in their water."

Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi said Thursday that police will investigate Salah's comments, and should they be found to be seditious in nature, steps will be taken against him. Police are also weighing whether to ask for a court order prohibiting Salah from entering Jerusalem altogether.

Also Thursday, Salah dismissed a court ruling to extend by another month the order to keep him 150 meters away from the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem because he is accused of organizing demonstrations against Israeli renovations near the Temple Mount, spitting at police officers and calling them murderers, occupiers and cowards.

"They have no right to make decisions on anything connected to the Al-Aqsa Mosque," he said. "I emphasize that I will enter the mosque at any time I think is right."