The government of Israel was wrong to outlaw the northern branch of the Islamic Movement

The government of Israel was wrong to outlaw the northern branch of the Islamic Movement. This measure shows a lack of insight and understanding of Arab society in Israel.

Transparent relations between Jewish and Arab citizens are essential for the democratic fabric of the state of Israel and for the relations between Jews and Arabs living in a shared society, even if at times such relations are challenging and difficult. The activity of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement did not meet the expectations of the Jewish public, and even parts of the Arab public, but better that it be open and transparent than clandestine and underground.

Yaniv Sagee, Executive Director of Givat Haviva, and Mohammad Darawshe, Director of the Center for Shared Society, said, "Dialogue between conflicting narratives is difficult and challenging, but it is better than no dialogue. The state should deal with the issues raised by this discourse in a more democratic and educational manner than by attempting to avoid it by outlawing the Islamic Movement. Jewish-Arab relations in the country are of supreme national importance, and every step taken in this arena should involve the leadership of both parties and not unilateral action as in this case.”

They added: "At a time like this, we need all of the country's political parties to show responsibility, to douse the flames and lower the tensions, to reject extremism and to bolster moderation toward the goal of achieving a shared society and regional peace.”

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