I guess he is, yes. I consider him a marvellous alto, soprano & clarinet player. What he does is sort of adding a jewish component to jazz, often performing standards, but also his own material, in a rather extraordinary fashion (yet mainstream, I guess).
His discs are on Enja, so go figure... as you said it recently, some mainstream, some ethno/folk... no vocals, at least on the live recordings I have. He's leading the so-called "Orient-House Ensemble" (named after the Palestinian headquarters). Living in London in exile, it seems he's a rather staunch supporter of anti-Israel or whatever you call it, anti-Sharon, for sure, policy. It seems he's also written at least one political novel about Israel/Palestine, so he may also be considered an activist.
His musical programme might be a bit ecclesticist, playing Bechet's "Petite Fleur", medleys of Gershwin, Ellington, Weill and his own material, but also having some Shorter in his repertoire (Footprints). Definitely melodic, definitely not ECM-kind-of-beauty, but definitely no free jazz. Just good music.
ubu