The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Tuesday acquitted the head of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, Sheikh Raed Salah, of charges on his involvement in a 2007 riot in East Jerusalem.

	Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Raed Salah.
	Photo by: Tess Scheflan

Around four months ago, Salah was given a nine-month jail sentence for his role in an affray, suspected incitement, and for assaulting a policeman during disturbances at the Temple Mount in the Old City in Jerusalem.

Following his arrest, the police said it will continue to work to allow religious freedom to all religions, and that it will continue to prevent isolated extremists from harming life in Jerusalem.

Salah was arrested in February 2007 after protests over planned improvement works at the Temple Mount. According to the court, Salah spat in the face of a policeman during the protest, saying: "You are all racists and murderers, you have no respect."