Israel declares IS an ‘illegal organization’
Move allows Jerusalem to prevent recruitment, fundraising, and other activities by jihadist groups
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
As Western countries intensify their rhetoric against the Islamic State terrorist group, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon designated the group an “illegal organization” under Israeli law Wednesday.
He also placed Al-Qaeda affiliate Abdallah Azzam Brigades under the same designation.
The move enables Israel to act against the organizations by prohibiting gatherings, recruitment, and fundraising and other activities, Israel Radio reported.
The Shin Bet recommended the steps.
On Wednesday night, Israel’s Channel 10 aired footage of what it said was an Islamic State rally on the Temple Mount.
The Islamic State group has swept through northern and western Iraq from its stronghold in neighboring Syria. It follows an ultra-conservative, violent interpretation of Islam and is accused by rights groups and the United Nations of committing war crimes, including the mass killings of soldiers, Shiite Muslims and followers of the ancient Yazidi faith in Iraq.
On Tuesday, the group released a video that showed an Islamic State fighter beheading captive US-Israeli journalist Steven Sotloff.
To try halt its spread, the US has conducted airstrikes in northern Iraq and shipped new weapons to Lebanon’s military, including automatic rifles, mortars and anti-tank artillery.
AP contributed to this report.
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