Balad Activist Arrested by Shin Bet Claims Political Persecution
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Balad activist Abd Abu Shahadeh was arrested by the Shin Bet on suspicion of contact with a foreign agent but was released after no evidence was found. Abu Shahadeh claims his arrest and interrogation, which included questions about Arab voter turnout, were politically motivated persecution. He alleges the Shin Bet is trying to delegitimize Arab political parties and their electoral success. The Shin Bet declined to comment.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Balad activist Abd Abu Shahadeh claims his Shin Bet arrest was political persecution.
- Abu Shahadeh was released after no evidence of security or criminal offenses was found.
- His interrogation included questions about high Arab voter turnout, drawing criticism.
- Law enforcement sources suggest a Shin Bet "fishing expedition" into Arab parties.
- Abu Shahadeh alleges an effort to delegitimize Arab political parties and their electoral success.
Media personality and Balad activist Abd Abu Shahadeh described his arrest by Shin Bet investigators as "political persecution" in an interview with Kan News. Abu Shahadeh was detained at his home in Jaffa five days prior on suspicion of contact with a foreign agent. He was released the following day after no evidence of security or criminal offenses was found against him.
Abu Shahadeh recounted that a dozen officers, some masked, raided his home, confiscating his computer, phone, and personal equipment. He stated he was confused when informed of the suspicion of contact with a foreign agent, especially since his recent visit to Qatar, where he interviewed Balad party founder Azmi Bishara, was not secretive. Abu Shahadeh clarified that he had sought legal counsel before the trip and that his interview with Bishara, who fled Israel two decades ago under suspicion of aiding Hezbollah, was for Al Jazeera English's election commentary.
During his interrogation, Abu Shahadeh was questioned about receiving or transferring funds from Qatar, though the Shin Bet reportedly lacked intelligence to support these suspicions. The investigation was dismissed within days.
Furthermore, Abu Shahadeh's Shin Bet interrogation included questions about the high voter turnout in the Arab community and how so many Arabs came to vote. Law enforcement sources criticized this approach, suggesting it was a "fishing expedition" by the Shin Bet into Arab parties and an attempt to create an unsubstantiated narrative of foreign interference. Abu Shahadeh accused the Shin Bet of "political persecution" against the Arab public and the success of Arab parties, viewing it as an effort to delegitimize the election and the hundreds of thousands who voted. He argued that the Shin Bet's implication of foreign intervention or money behind the Arab parties' 19 Knesset seats undermines the legitimacy of the "change government" that relies on their support.
The General Security Service (Shin Bet) declined to comment on the report.
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