Israel extends detention of Palestinian journalist Abed Abou Shhadeh

An Israeli court has extended the detention of Palestinian journalist and political activist Abed Abou Shhadeh until Sunday, 8 November, after his arrest this week. The case has drawn attention because it concerns a journalist’s interview with a Palestinian political figure and comes as Arab-led parties have gained influence in coalition talks following Israel’s election.

Police sought an eight-day extension, citing suspicion of contact with a foreign agent; Adalah, part of Abou Shhadeh’s defence team, says it will appeal. The defence says the questioning focused on a publicly available interview with former Balad leader Azmi Bishara, conducted as part of Abou Shhadeh’s journalistic work, and disputes that it provides grounds for a criminal suspicion. Adalah founder Hassan Jabareen said police found no evidence of payments, while rights advocates and protesters have described the arrest as an attempt to intimidate Palestinian journalists and activists.