The Islamic Movement in Israel: New Reality as an Underground Organization

Abstract

On November 15, 2015, the Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe (Boogi) Ya’alon, declared the Islamic Movement, headed by Sheikh Ra’ed Salah Mahajna, an illegal organization. This step came as a surprise as the Islamic Movement had been active since 1996 despite the fact that its leaders were arrested from time-to-time. Up until 2015, the movement had never been declared illegal. This article compares and contrasts the organization’s activities both before and after it become illegal (1996-2017).