Arab Movement Condemns Arrest of Journalist Abd Abu Shahadeh

The National Democratic Assembly (Balad) condemned the arrest of journalist and political activist Abd Abu Shahadeh, who previously served as head of the Islamic Council in Jaffa and a member of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipal council. Abu Shahadeh was detained from his home in Jaffa on the previous night, and his detention was extended for five days. Balad described the arrest as political, aimed at targeting journalistic work and freedom of expression.

The movement asserted that Abu Shahadeh is recognized for his political, journalistic, and community roles in supporting his people and defending their rights and causes. They highlighted his active presence in Jaffa, confronting policies of displacement and exclusion. Balad noted that Abu Shahadeh's discussions and writings are publicly available under his name. The group also pointed to a court decision to initially ban the publication of case documents, which was later reversed, as an attempt to conceal the political nature of his arrest and silence his voice.

Balad stated that the broad support for Abu Shahadeh, with groups from various political backgrounds converging at the court, reflects his standing and role, and demonstrates rejection of his persecution and intimidation. The movement demanded Abu Shahadeh's immediate release and an end to the policy of arbitrary arrest and the pursuit of journalists and political activists. They affirmed that attempts at intimidation will not deter the people from defending their rights and carrying out their political, journalistic, and community roles.