Rabbi: Islamic Movement is sincere about condemning terrorism

• Date: 05 April 2021
• Published date: 05 April 2021
• Author: Yoni Kempinski
• Publication title: Israel National News (Israel)

Speaking with Arutz Sheva, Rabbi Nagen said that the Southern Islamic Movement, which the UAL represents in the Knesset, is sincere in its rejection of terrorism, and that the recent comments by UAL chief Mansour Abbas rejecting political violence were in line with the Southern Islamic Movement's positions going back to the 1990s.

"Before getting to the political, we have to get to what I feel is significant in what's happening now, the social and religious, that there is now an opportunity to fundamentally change the relations between Jews and Arabs in Israel."

"This is an opportunity that we cannot miss. Only if we understand the religious and social dimensions can afterwards we understand what are the political implications."

What do you say to people who point out that these are lawmakers who opposed the Abraham Accords, who met or went to visit terrorists in prison?

"Let's look at the 'yes' before we look at the 'no'. The founder of the Islamic Movement in Israel, Sheikh Abdullah Darwish changed in the 1990s when he came out calling for integration in Israel, and also condemning terror. He condemned terrorist attacks such as kidnapping and murdering Israeli soldiers. He condemned missiles from Gaza."

"Therefore, what is happening now is not a political stunt, it is a continuation of an approach which has been going on for years."

"Two weeks ago, I visited in Kfar Qassem, where the Islamic Movement was formed. I went to their high school. The students there were thrilled that a rabbi would show up. On that day, students who volunteered...