Journalist and activist Abed Abu Shahadeh was released from detention this morning (Sunday), on the condition that he appear for questioning if required. Abu Shahadeh was arrested late Tuesday night on suspicion of contact with a foreign agent, his lawyer, Adv. Yigal Dotan, told Davar.
Dotan added that Abu Shahadeh’s arrest and the search of his home were unlawful, as the police had not presented the required authorisations to question a journalist or search his belongings.
Following his release, Abu Shahadeh said: “I thank everyone who stood by me – Arabs, Jews and foreigners – as well as the legal team, the Adalah Legal Center team, and everyone who attended the court hearing. This is not something to be taken for granted, and it shows a different path from what we see all the time.”
Abu Shahadeh added: “These days, we need to talk about a better future – because between the river and the sea there are Jews and Arabs, and we need to learn to live together. This is the path we must take, especially in the face of this event: we must not be afraid; we must offer an alternative. Our path is based on equality for all – we must carry on, we must not stop, and most importantly, we must not be afraid. They want us to be afraid. We will continue our struggle for justice and equality for all.”
MK Ofer Cassif (Hadash) commented on Abu Shahadeh’s release: “The criminal arrest of my friend Abed is another chapter in the persecution of political opponents of the government in general, and Arabs in particular. Just as in Abed’s case, so too with the ‘election theft’ affair: lies, threats and incitement in the service of the oppressor, carried out by his obedient servant Zini. Get lost!”