Journalist Abd Abu Shehadeh says Shin Bet arrest aimed to intimidate Arab citizens and reporters
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Abd Abu Shehadeh, released after five days in Shin Bet custody, told 103FM that his detention was intended to frighten Arab citizens and journalists.
Journalist Abd Abu Shehadeh said his five-day detention by the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) was meant to intimidate Arab citizens and members of the press. He told radio station 103FM that officers arrived at his home late on Tuesday, presented an arrest and search warrant, and he complied without resistance before being taken to the Shin Bet facility in Petah Tikva for questioning. Abu Shehadeh, who has worked as a journalist for about eight years and produces a weekly podcast, said his reporting focuses on Arab political issues and is conducted openly and within the law.
He explained that he had been invited to comment on the elections for Al Jazeera English and had verified that the appearance was legally permissible. Abu Shehadeh said the arrest served two purposes: to create fear among Arab citizens and to deter journalists. He linked the action to the recent election, noting that higher Arab voter turnout altered the distribution of Knesset seats, which he said made some political leaders uneasy.
When asked about the Shin Bet chief’s allegations of election interference, Abu Shehadeh said he was not fully briefed on recent developments but sensed a broader effort to delegitimize the election outcome. He warned that the mechanisms used in his case could be applied to other journalists, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
"They want us to be afraid," Abu Shehadeh said, adding that the powers employed against him were “very powerful mechanisms" that could "easily spill over to other journalists."