This study examines the factors affecting Islamic political activism in Israel among Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel (API). In 1996, the Islamic movement in Israel split into the northern, “radical” branch led by Shaykh Ra’id Salah, and southern, “moderate” branch led by Shaykh Abdullah Nimr Darwish (the founder of the movement). Since the split, the movement as a whole has grown but attempts at reconciliation have failed. The purpose of this paper is to identify the reasons for the split as well as the constraints and motivations for reconciliation. More specially, I focus on how external events, such as the Intifada, Iraq War, and “Arab Spring”, have affected the prospects for cooperation and conflict between the movements. The findings will contribute to a broader understanding of Islamic movements that operate in different contexts.