Arab Follow-up Committee to Mark Jerusalem Uprising Anniversary

The Supreme Follow-up Committee for the Arab Citizens in Israel and the Committee of Heads of Arab Local Authorities have called for commemorating the anniversary of the Jerusalem Uprising at a public event in Arraba on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The commemoration will include visits to the graves of those who died during the uprising, as part of a national program to remember the events and honor the fallen.

The decision was made during a regular meeting of the committee's secretariat in Baqa al-Gharbiyya on Thursday, September 3, 2026. The meeting addressed political, social, and security issues affecting the Arab Palestinian community inside Israel, alongside developments concerning Jerusalem, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, home demolitions, crime, violence, and incitement campaigns.

The committee announced that Arraba was chosen to host the main commemoration events for the Jerusalem Uprising anniversary on October 3. Further details about the program and arrangements will be announced later. The choice of Arraba aims to emphasize the importance of commemorating the uprising's events and remembering its victims, reinforcing their presence in public consciousness.

The meeting also focused on the issue of home demolitions, particularly in Tamra and Lod, which the committee described as a campaign led by the Israel Land Authority under the pretext of unresolved ownership. A coordinating body will be formed with representatives from Tamra, Lod, the committee, and professional experts to follow developments, coordinate actions, and demand a return to settlement processes that were in place until the end of 2022. Protest demonstrations are planned in front of the Israel Land Authority offices.

Regarding crime and violence, the committee stressed the need to activate reconciliation and civil peace committees in Arab towns. A special study day will be held to discuss the phenomenon of violence, its causes, and consequences, aiming to develop a comprehensive action plan.

The committee also condemned what it termed racist incitement campaigns targeting the Arab community, including leaders, parties, and professionals. It decided to hold a consultation with the Forum of Arab Lawyers to explore legal options for prosecuting those inciting hatred and to prepare a detailed document on the dangers of incitement.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem were prominent topics. The committee condemned repeated incursions into the mosque and called on Palestinians to visit Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa to defend religious and national rights. They also denounced bans preventing individuals, including Sheikh Raed Salah and Kamal al-Khateeb, from entering the mosque.

The committee affirmed its commitment to continue working and mobilizing through all legitimate means to defend Jerusalem and its holy sites, linking this effort to the commemoration of the Jerusalem Uprising.