An Israeli court is scheduled to issue its sentencing decision on Monday in the case of Sheikh Kamal Khatib, deputy head of the Islamic Movement, after convicting him of incitement to violence and incitement to terrorism.
According to court proceedings, the convictions relate to two social media posts and a sermon delivered during the May 2021 unrest. The court acquitted Khatib of a separate charge of identifying with a terrorist organisation.
Khatib was arrested in May 2021 after the Israeli government, acting on recommendations from the Shin Bet security agency, said his statements and online posts constituted incitement to violence and terrorism.
The indictment was based on social media posts and a speech concerning Israeli violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, clashes involving worshippers, police actions against Palestinians, and events related to the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem.
Following legal proceedings that lasted more than five years, the court convicted Khatib on the two incitement charges while acquitting him of the charge of identifying with a terrorist organisation.
