An Israeli court jailed five senior Islamists yesterday for passing money to Palestinian security prisoners and for contacts with the Hamas militant group committed to destroying the Jewish state. The five men, including Islamic Movement founder Sheikh Raed Salah, were arrested nearly two years ago. All admitted helping prisoners, while two also admitted "contacts with a foreign agent". They were sentenced to between 2-1/2 and 4-1/2 years.The case fuelled suspicion among Jewish Israelis about the loyalty of Arab citizens who make up about 20 percent of the population. Arabs have long complained of discrimination but have not been deeply involved in a Palestinian uprising. Hamas has been at the forefront of a suicide bombing campaign that killed hundreds of Israelis since 2000. Raed Salah was given a 3-1/2-year jail term, but is likely to be released in about six months for good behavior. Some of the others are likely to be freed shortly because they had served most of their sentences since being arrested. The court dropped charges of criminal conspiracy, passing information to the enemy and belonging to a terrorist organization.