TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The Israeli government Sunday prevented a prominent local Islamic Movement leader, Sheikh Raed Salah, from leaving the country.
Salah was reportedly informed of the six-month ban when he arrived at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on his way to Qatar.
The Interior Ministry's spokeswoman said that Minister Eli Yishai issued the ban on Saturday night "at the Israel Security Agency's request." Salah is an Israeli citizen.
An Israeli security source, who spoke to United Press International on condition of anonymity, said officials believed he was going to meet his Muslim Brotherhood "handler," Sheikh Youssef Kardawi, to receive orders or to coordinate activities.
Kardawi issues fatwas for suicide attacks in Israel.
The Islamic Movement's northern faction, which Salah heads, is considered by Israelis to be radical and some of its supporters were allegedly involved in militant attacks.
