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Outwardly, members of the southern faction seem to hold a moderate worldview that accepts the existence of the State of Israel. They are also willing to get involved in political institutions for the welfare of the Arab public, such as the Ra'am Party. The movement's leaders and spokesmen are careful not to identify with terrorist organizations in front of Israelis. Nevertheless, though not explicitly and publicly stated, one can discern the Southern Factions' real views and beliefs between the lines. Sheikh Hamed Abu Da'abas, chairman of the Islamic Movement, was on the Turkish Marmara ship that tried to break the naval blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip and was arrested for doing so. He publicly supports Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the former Mufti of Jerusalem, known for his extremist and anti-Semitic views, including support of terrorism and suicide bombings. Senior members of the Islamic Movement and Ra'am Knesset Members have broadcasted meetings with terrorists and their families. Furthermore, they are sympathetic to Hamas representatives in Judea and Samaria and hold support meetings with them. The chairman of the Ra'am Party, MK Mansour Abbas, attended multiple times, events in support of Sheikh Raed Salah, the leader of the Northern Faction of the Islamic Movement, and even supported him before he was incarcerated on charges of incitement to terrorism. On December 20, 2021, after Raed Salah was released from prison, Ra'am MK Mazen Ghanaim visited him, even though he was still, at the time, a coalition member in the State of Israel. |
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