Arab Follow-Up Committee Denounces Netanyahu's Alleged Incitement Campaign

The Follow-Up Committee for the Affairs of the Arab Citizens in Israel has strongly condemned what it described as a "fascist racist onslaught" led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The committee stated that Netanyahu's office initiated police actions on election day to arrest Dr. Siav Abu Riyash from Rahat, Sheikh Hussein Al-Masoudin from Shaqib al-Salam, and Professor Ibrahim Al-Quraibi from the village of Al-Sir, accusing them of fabricated charges. The committee noted that these individuals were later released, with the allegations proving baseless and invented to allow Netanyahu to incite and stir up the Jewish public, express his alleged racism, and gain votes for the far-right.

The committee further alleged that arrest and incitement campaigns against the entire Arab community continued on and after election day. It claimed that General Zini, the head of the Shin Bet, promoted false charges against Arab leaders and parties to delegitimize them politically and portray them as lawbreakers, driven by a racist mentality and serving Netanyahu's political interests.

The statement also denounced the escalation of pursuit and incitement campaigns post-election, marked by a sharp rise in racist attacks on the Arab community and the targeting of political leaders. In an unusual move, the Shin Bet allegedly leaked news of an intent to investigate Member of Knesset Ayman Odeh on fabricated charges. The committee also cited the arbitrary arrest of journalist Abd Abu Shehadeh, who was allegedly only practicing his profession.

The Follow-Up Committee emphasized the need to confront the alleged racist campaign with unified struggle, defending the legitimacy of their political work and their right to national identity and belonging. They asserted that an attack on one leader is an attack on all. The committee called for participation in a demonstration on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 11 AM in front of the courthouse at 1 Weizmann Street in Tel Aviv, protesting the arrest of Abd Abu Shehadeh and demanding his immediate release.