Salah was born in 1958 in Umm al-Fahm. His father was a police officer and his two brothers followed in his fathers footsteps. From 1977 to 1980, he studied Islamic law at Hebron University and soon he co-founded the Islamic Movement in Israel, reportedly an offshot to the Muslim Brotherhood.[1]
In 1989, the Movement decided to participate in elections for Palestinian localities in Israel. It won control of six city councils. Salah became mayor of his hometown Umm al-Fahm, winning 70% of the vote,[2] a significant victory for the Movement. Salah won again in 1993 and 1997 before standing down in 2001 to focus on other issues. In particular, on the defense of al-Aqsa, which he felt was threatened by Israel.[1][3]
The Movement split in 1996 into a Northern and Southern branch as the Southern branch intended to field candidates to run for the Knesset, Israel's national parliament. The Northern branch, led by Salah, believed that would be tantamount to recognizing the legitimacy of the State of Israel.[3]
Since stepping down as mayor of Umm al-Fahm, Salah has become a popular preacher among Palestinians in Israel. He has been arrested numerous times; on suspicion of fundraising for Hamas and for his popular sermons that Israeli authorities claim often involve incitement of violence. Something that has only boosted his popularity among Palestinians. Professor Elie Rekhess, director of the Adenauer Program for Jewish-Arab Studies at Tel Aviv University in 2006 stated:[4]
If there were a poll run today to establish who is the most popular leader in Israel, he would be up there. His outer appearance might be misleading, because he's very quiet and low-keyed, but he's very powerful. He certainly sees political Islam as a major factor in the formulation in the coming years in Israel, and he sees his party as having a strong say.
Roee Nahmias, writing for the Israeli news site Ynet wrote in 2007:[5]
Since his release from prison two years ago Sheikh Salah has been steadily building a name for himself as a leader for all Muslims, this despite the fact that he lives in Israel. By focusing on social issues he has won over people from the bottom up, though his followers say his humbleness, manners and simple attire also helped establish his persona as a leader.
In late 2015, Israel banned Salah's Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement which it claimed was inciting violence.
- ^ a b Lieber, Dov (August 16, 2017). "The rise of Raed Salah, Israel's Islamist leader who wants Jerusalem at the heart of a caliphate". The Times of Israel. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ "Sheikh Raed Salah profile". BBC News. September 30, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ a b Sharri Plonski (13 December 2017). Palestinian Citizens of Israel: Power, Resistance and the Struggle for Space. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 40–. ISBN 978-1-78673-122-7.
- ^ Ilene R. Prusher (2006-10-26). "Israeli Arab's Rising Voice of Opposition". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
- ^ Nahmias, Roee (February 18, 2007). "Sheikh Salah: Western Wall belongs to Muslims". ynetnews. Retrieved August 23, 2020.