Protest Planned in Tel Aviv for Detained Journalist Abd Abu Shehadeh

Human rights groups and activists are calling for a protest outside the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court on Sunday, November 8, to demand the immediate release of journalist and political activist Abd Abu Shehadeh. His detention was extended until that date by Israeli authorities. The protest, under the slogan "Free Abd Abu Shehadeh Now," is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM in front of the courthouse at 1 Weizmann Street, Tel Aviv.

Abu Shehadeh was arrested at his home in Jaffa early last Wednesday by approximately 15 officers from the police and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency). The Adalah Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights, which is part of his defense team, reported the details of the arrest. The Magistrate's Court extended his detention after police requested an eight-day extension, citing suspicion of "communicating with a foreign agent" as part of a joint security investigation with the Shin Bet.

According to Adalah, the investigation focuses on an interview Abu Shehadeh conducted in Qatar with Arab intellectual and former head of the National Democratic Assembly, Azmi Bishara, prior to the recent Israeli elections. The interview was published publicly as part of Abu Shehadeh's journalistic work. His defense team stated that the interview discussed Israeli elections and political issues concerning Palestinians, and that its content is publicly available online. They deny any justification for his arrest based on published journalistic work, arguing that Bishara is not a "foreign agent" and that conducting a journalistic interview with him does not constitute grounds for suspicion of a criminal offense. The lawyers contend that Abu Shehadeh's continued detention infringes upon freedom of the press and expression.

Conversely, police stated during the detention hearing that the investigation involves sensitive security suspicions and that investigative procedures are ongoing. The court acknowledged a reasonable basis for suspicion and partially approved the detention extension until Sunday. Media reports indicate Abu Shehadeh is being held at a Shin Bet facility in Petah Tikva. Adalah stated his arrest followed a raid and search of his home. His defense team, including lawyers Hadeel Abu Saleh, Afnan Khalifa, and Fouad Sultani, emphasized that the investigation centers on a single media interview and demanded his release. Adalah expressed concern that arresting a journalist over a published interview raises fears about the freedom of journalistic work and political expression for Palestinians within Israel, calling for his immediate release.