(IsraelNN.com) Fears that Arab Israelis are linking up with terrorist organizations are behind decisions to ban a former Arab mayor from visiting Mecca and to refuse freeing terrorists from eastern Jerusalem as part of a deal for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, according to a popular Hebrew University researcher.

Convicted and jailed terrorists from Jerusalem “are not Israeli citizens but they live under Israeli sovereignty, and the government definitely will not allow them to go free and encourage efforts to involve Arab Israelis with the Palestinian Authority struggle,” Dr. Mordechai Kedar told Arutz 7.

An expert in Middle East affairs at Bar-Ilan, Dr. Kedar also revealed that the same fears are behind Israel’s refusal to allow Suleiman Agbaria, former mayor of the Galilee Arab city of Umm-el-Fahm, to leave the country for the annual Muslim pilgrimage in Mecca.

If he were allowed to visit Mecca, he could easily come in contact with terrorists from Iran and Syria, he said. “Hizbullah and Hamas persistently try to enlist Arab Israelis into service. Arabs Israelis can move freely within the country and become excellent spies.

“Agbaria was sentenced to jail for transferring money to illegal ‘charity’ groups that are linked with Hamas,” Dr. Kedar added. He is part of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, headed by Sheikh Raad Salah who sat in jail with him and constantly challenges the existence of the State of Israel.