Shin Bet Arrests Balad Activist Abd Abu Shehadeh in Jaffa

The Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security agency, and Israel Police arrested Balad activist Abd Abu Shehadeh in Jaffa on Wednesday on suspicion of security offenses. The leader of his party responded by accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using the security services to overturn the Knesset election result.

Haaretz reported that the arrest took place on Wednesday morning. It described Abu Shehadeh as a media figure who heads the city's Muslim Administration and is known for his public and political activity.

No details have been released about the offenses he is suspected of committing or the circumstances of the arrest.

Arutz Sheva noted that the arrest follows allegations surrounding the vote for the 26th Knesset, including suspected vote-buying and foreign interference. It is unclear whether the arrest is connected to those suspicions.

Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh condemned the arrest on X. He gave a different account of the timing and said his colleague was taken from his home the night before. He directed his anger at Netanyahu and at David Zini, whom The Jerusalem Post identified as the Shin Bet chief.

"Netanyahu and Zini are escalating their efforts to steal the election. Last night, police and the Shin Bet abducted journalist Abd Abu Shahada from his home."

He also alleged that the security forces refused to present an arrest warrant and took belongings without providing an inventory. He said they were still withholding information about where the activist was being held.

In his account, the arrest is one part of a wider effort that targets political activists through detentions, questioning and intimidation, and its goal is to undermine the election result. He claimed that Netanyahu "lost the election, thanks to Arab citizens who turned out in massive numbers." He called the arrest "a grave crime" and vowed: "We will not be intimidated, and we will not let them steal the election."

Last week, Israel Police said they had no evidence to support Likud's claim that Arab parties stole the election. Police logged 48 fraud and impersonation complaints nationwide. On Tuesday, the Joint List rejected attempts to sideline Balad, which is the most extreme faction within the Arab party and known for its anti-Israel positions. The Joint List said Balad is an inseparable part of the list.