Arab Parties Protest Follow-up Committee Statement, Demand Apology

The Islamic Movement and the United Arab List (MOUHADA) have lodged a protest against a statement issued by the Follow-up Committee for Arab Citizens in Israel, demanding an apology from its head, Jamal Zahalka. The two groups stated that the committee's recent declaration addressed the arrests of journalist Abd Abu Shahada and the pursuit of MK Ayman Odeh, but failed to mention the detention of activists and leaders from their own parties. They specifically highlighted the arrest of three MOUHADA activists in the Negev, identified as Sayaf Abu Riyash, Ibrahim Al-Quraibi, and Hussein Al-Masoudin, during election day. The last of these activists was released four days prior to the report. The Islamic Movement and MOUHADA also reported the detention and questioning of dozens of their leaders and activists in various regions for several days. They consider the committee's omission of these cases a disregard for a segment of Arab society and its political components, emphasizing that the rights and dignity of detainees should not be affected by their political or regional affiliations.

The protesting parties also asserted that the Follow-up Committee is not the property of any single party or faction and that its head is responsible for representing all segments of Arab society equally, free from partisan considerations. They requested Zahalka to issue a statement on behalf of the committee apologizing to the residents of the Negev and the detainees for not mentioning their cases, and condemning the incitement, arrests, and pursuits targeting MOUHADA and Islamic Movement activists, leaders, institutions, and associations. This protest arises from differing views on how the Follow-up Committee handles cases of political arrest and persecution. The article did not include a response from Jamal Zahalka to these demands.