Israeli Islamist Leader: Caliphate´s Capital Will Be Jerusalem 02:09 Sep 17, '06 / 24 Elul 5766 by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz

Reiterating a position he has expressed in the past, the leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement declared that a new Caliphate will soon arise, with its capital in Jerusalem.

The Islamist leader, Sheikh Raed Salah, made the prediction Friday night, at the 11th annual conference of the Israeli Islamic Movement, in the northern city of Umm El-Fahm. Tens of thousands attended the event, including the Palestinian Authority-appointed mufti, Ikrima Sabri, and an archbishop of the Greek-Orthodox Church. Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Musa of Egypt, sent his regards to the gathering, as well.

The conference was held under the slogan "Al-Aksa is in Danger," which has been utilized as a theme repeatedly at Islamic gatherings in recent years, harking back to incitement that preceded Arab massacres of Jews in the pre-State period.

Likening Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem to that of past non-Muslim rulers in the fertile crescent, Salah said, "The Israeli occupation will leave Jerusalem soon. It will happen sooner than is thought." To aid in that process, Salah repeated a call of his from several months ago for Arab and Muslim states and organizations to establish a special fund aimed at "saving" Al-Aksa Mosque and Jerusalem from the Jews.

I fear with the leadership in Israel that this is closer to the truth than we want to admit.