US Congress Members Demand Release of Palestinian Journalist Held in Israel
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Three U.S. Representative-elects have urged Israel to release Palestinian journalist Abdel-Rahim Abu Shahada, who is suspected of communicating with a foreign agent. The lawmakers expressed concern that his detention for professional work undermines press freedom. A court extended Abu Shahada's detention, citing classified materials, while his lawyers say investigators focused on a recent interview. The representatives called for transparency and an end to prosecuting journalists for their coverage.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Three U.S. Representative-elects urged Israel to release journalist Abdel-Rahim Abu Shahada.
- Abu Shahada is suspected of communicating with a foreign agent, a charge his lawyers dispute.
- A court extended his detention based on classified materials not shown to his defense.
- The lawmakers warned that detaining journalists for their work harms press freedom.
- They called for evidence disclosure, a public trial, and an end to prosecuting journalists.
- The representatives linked the arrest to the political climate after recent Israeli elections.
Three U.S. Representative-elects, Brad Lander of New York, Daniel Biss of Illinois, and Scott Wiener of California, have sent a joint letter to Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yael Lempert expressing concern over the arrest of Palestinian journalist Abdel-Rahim Abu Shahada. They warned that detaining journalists for their professional work undermines press freedom and citizens' right to participate in political and civil life without fear of prosecution.
Abu Shahada, an editorial board member of the "Arabs 48" website and host of the "Al-Maydan" podcast, is suspected of communicating with a foreign agent. This suspicion was the basis for authorities' request to extend his detention. A court approved the extension until Sunday afternoon, after reviewing classified materials not disclosed to his lawyers, and determined there was a basis for suspicion justifying his continued detention at this stage of the investigation.
Abu Shahada's lawyers stated that investigators focused on a recent interview he conducted with Azmi Bishara for the "Al-Maydan" podcast, noting it was the focus of their questions. The elected congressmen argued that interviewing political figures, even controversial ones, is central to journalistic work and that arresting a journalist over an interview raises serious concerns about media freedom.
The three representatives also called for evidence to be disclosed to Abu Shahada's lawyers if formal charges are filed, and for a public trial and fair judicial procedures. They further demanded an end to the prosecution of journalists for interviews and coverage.
The signatories expressed concern about the timing of the arrest, linking it to the political climate following the recent Israeli elections and to statements and actions targeting the participation of Arab citizens and parties in political life. They urged Israeli authorities not to use arrests and investigations to question election results or undermine the legitimacy of political participation.
This action by the three representatives, who are set to take office in January, marks their first joint step since their election victory and has garnered significant political and human rights attention due to the nature of the suspicions against the journalist and the classified materials used to extend his detention.
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