Furor Over Palestinian Grand Mufti’s Statement About Muslims Killing Jews

JERUSALEM – Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein has ordered a formal Israel Police probe of Palestinian Grand Mufti Muhammad Hussein for incendiary remarks made at a recent gathering of Fatah leaders in Ramallah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked Weinstein to investigate Hussein for alleged incitement to murder after he told the gathering that killing Jews is a “religious Islamic goal.”

The mufti, who also exerts control over the Jerusalem Wakf (Muslim religious council), as well as Islamic sites on the Temple Mount, denied he called for the murder of Jews, saying he was just doing his duty by quoting statements made by the Prophet Muhammad.

“I am not afraid of the calls by the prime minister and other Israeli officials to investigate my statements,” he said.