Israeli Arabs rally against Morsi death sentence

Thousands of Arabs marched in northern Israel on Saturday to protest the death sentence issued in Egypt against ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Organisers said 5,000 people took part in the demonstration led by Sheikh Raed Salah, a firebrand preacher who heads the Islamist Movement's radical northern wing.

They marched through the Galilee village of Kufr Kana, bearing signs that read "Cut the rope of penalty" and chanting "We won't rest till the murderer Sisi is executed".

Morsi, who hails from the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, was ousted from power in July 2013 by then army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The Islamist, whose rule lasted just one year, was among more than 100 defendants sentenced to death on May 16 for their role in a mass jailbreak during the 2011 uprising.

The Islamic Movement is tolerated in Israel but is under constant surveillance because of its perceived links with the militant Hamas movement, as well as with other Muslim groups worldwide.

Saturday's rally ended without incident.
Source: AFP