On November 3, 2026, Israeli authorities detained journalist Abed Abu Shehadeh from his home in Jaffa. The journalist, whose full name is Abdel Qader Abu Shehadeh, contributes to outlets such as Haifa-based news website Arab 48, the independent news site Sicha Mekomit “Local Call,” its sister-publication the English-language +972 Magazine, and has appeared on Al Jazeera as a political analyst covering elections.
Lawyers reported that Abu Shehadeh was questioned about his journalism and accused of “contacting a foreign agent”.
His wife Haneen Eghbariya, who is part of his legal counsel, told CPJ that the investigation focused on an interview he conducted with Palestinian intellectual Azmi Bishara, an exiled former member of Israel’s Knesset who Israeli authorities have accused of espionage and treason, as part of his podcast Al-Midan for the Arab48 website. She added that Shin Bet investigators questioned him overnight and did not allow him to consult a lawyer, despite his request.
The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Magistrate's Court extended his detention until Sunday, November 8.
During the court hearing, a police representative initially acknowledged that Abu Shehadeh was a journalist, but after a recess she retracted this statement and instead said he is a political adviser. The defense objected to this new description, and asked whether there was evidence that the meeting went beyond recording a podcast interview or contained information not available to the public. The police representative referred her answers to the secret investigation materials.
CPJ’s email to the Israeli police on Abu Shehadeh’s arrest did not receive a response by the time of publication.