Shin Bet releases Muslim cleric detained for aiding Islamic Jihad
Military court frees Fawaz Damra, former imam of Ohio's largest mosque, due to lack of evidence.
By Yossi MelmanA military court on Sunday released Fawaz Damra, the former imam of Ohio's largest mosque, who was detained earlier this month on suspicion of fundraising for Islamic Jihad.
The decision to release the suspect was made after the Shin Bet came to the conclusion that there were not sufficient grounds for an indictment.
Damra, originally from the West Bank city of Nablus, had his American citizenship revoked due to suspicions that he raised funds for the militant group 15 years ago.
Following his release from Kishon prison, Damra traveled to visit relatives in Nablus.
Damra, the imam of the Cleveland mosque for several years, was detained in a joint operation between the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and Israeli security forces. He was taken to Jordan on a "secret flight" and from there transferred to Israel.
Earlier this month, Damra admitted to raising money for the Palestinian cause, his lawyer said. He also told U.S. judicial authorities that his sermons had included harsh words against Israel and the Jews, whom he described as "pigs and monkeys."
Nonetheless, Damra said he changed his worldviews after 1993, attended university and began working at organizations that promote interreligious dialogue.
Damra said his citizenship was revoked despite his change in opinion. Earlier this month, he boarded a special plane destined for Jordan at New Jersey's Newark Airport, along with six drug dealers. Following a short interrogation, Jordanian authorities transferred him to the Shin Bet and Israel Police via Allenby Bridge.
After his losing contact with him, Damra's family contacted the Center for the Defense of the Individual in Israel to locate him.
Damra was suspected of raising funds through an organization known as the Islamic Committee for Palestine. The leader of the group, Dr. Sami al-Rian - a Palestinian-American lecturer at the University of Florida - has been acquitted on several suspicions of belonging to terror organizations.
Damra was arrested in the United States about a year ago on suspicion of raising funds for Islamic Jihad in 1991, but not enough evidence was found to prosecute him. To avoid an acquittal, the U.S. ruled to revoke Damra's citizenship in a legal proceeding, arguing that he had violated immigration laws by not handing over information on the organizations with which he was involved prior to receiving citizenship.
Damra's situation is unique, as he is a U.S. citizen who was arrested on U.S. territory. Most suspects transferred via secret flights have been arrested in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Egypt.
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Fawaz Damra, formerly the imam of Ohio's largest mosque, waiting in a Cleveland courtroom on January 29, 2004. (AP) |
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why do muslims call israelis 'pigs and monkeys'? these creatures are generally inoffensive, an useful and important part of God's world. so what is the connection?
There is no shame. The US requires "good moral character" from itz citizen applicants. The US doesn't wish to have racist human garbage applying for its benefits.
To be eligible for citizenship, one must have "good moral character". The Imam obviously failed in this area. David Duke unfortunately was born here, otherwise, his citizenship would be revoked as well. The US is better off for ridding itself of human garbage like this Imam. He will be happier with his own people who will embrace his hate speech as inspirational.
The man can engage in any amount of hate speech as he pleases, as long as it is no longer on US soil. " He also told U.S. judicial authorities that his sermons had included harsh words against Israel and the Jews, whom he described as "pigs and monkeys."
Aside form Shin Bet wanting a face to face perhaps to acquaint him with the possible danger to his person that continued terrorist activities could bring about, what is he doing in Israel? He belongs with his own people. If the US has rvoked his citizenship- a rare and extreme action for the US - what is Israel's connection? Get rid of him immediately.
Damra and his cohort, including Sami al-Arian, raised enormous funds for PIJ. There is absolutlely no question that he was a knowing and active participant in funding terrorism. US law is just not built to confront the kinds of challenges posed by international terrorist financing.
"He lied on his application and that is breaking the law." But they didn't have any evidence to convict him of the alleged crime, so how did he lie? "The videos are quite explicit and damaging." Regardless of what one says, under American law Americans, as you might surely know, have something called freedom-of-speech. If that was a crime, then David Duke would be in jail by now. "Federal Gov decided not me. I didn`t put him on the plane to Jordan you moron!" I didn't say that you put him on the plane to Jordan, I said that a court of law decides the guilt or innocence of people - not you! Did calling me "moron" give you any satisfaction? I'm glad it did, and I thank you for it!
Once a jihadist always a jihadist, his claim that his opinion changed is typical jihadi deception. Never should have gone to court, he should have been "disappered" like the Mossad used to do before the pc liberal elite took over.
As I said, he broke the law and the law is specific. You can't lie on an application and change your mind. I might add there is video footage of Damra. If you want to make a case for him, contact his family.
By freeing this seemingly innocent man, Israel proves that it is more democratic, and has more respect for the law, than both the US & Jordan. Shame on the USA for stripping the citizenship from this man! They always resort to their Gestapo-like immigration authorities when they fail to convince a jury. Shame on the USA for sending him to Jordan on a "secret flight". Jordan is well known for its poor human rights record. Shame on Jordan for being a partner to this criminal (and against international law) act. I'm sure Mr. Damra is happy that Jordan was NOT his last stop!
He lied on his application and that is breaking the law. The videos are quite explicit and damaging. Now he's a Palestinian again or Jordanian. As long as he isn't in my country, I don't care. Federal Gov decided not me. I didn't put him on the plane to Jordan you moron!
you are all right. there wasn't enough evidence to convict him, and since you are innocent until proven guilty, the man was freed. clear proof that Israel doesn't just lock up "innocent" pals for the fun of it!
by releasing this person...
Did you red the article? The man is free. A democratic country where the rule of law impires and one of its courts freed him. What is the critic now?. What does if have to do with guantanamo?. Why do you hate so much?. At least don't disguised as progressist. You are not.
If I was subjected to this grotesque global witch hunt by "crusaders against anti semitism", I would probably think of even nastier terms to use.
"We take our laws for citizenship seriously. He would not have lied if he thought it would not affect his application for citizenship." American Law says a person is innocent until proven guilty. If an American court found this person guilty, he would've served a jail term and not get shipped to Jordan! "had his American citizenship revoked due to suspicions that he raised funds for the militant group 15 years ago." Suspicions don't hold any water in a court of law. How would you like it if your life was ruined based on suspicions? Even the article says that "He was arrested in the United States about a year ago on suspicion of raising funds for Islamic Jihad in 1991, but not enough evidence was found to prosecute him." Do you hear this? "Not enough evidence"! Many innocent (until proven guilty) people are rotting in Guantanamo. If the government really wants to uphold American law, then they should bring these people to court and let a judge & a jury decide! Not you!
Lynn, If the guy is not in a US prison and neither in Israeli one then you should review your post and apologize. I am getting sick of allegations without any substance.
We take our laws for citizenship seriously. He would not have lied if he thought it would not affect his application for citizenship. That was his choice. The article forgot to mention the money raised went to Islamic Jihad, a recognized terror org. His videos speak for themselves.