The High Follow-Up Committee for Arab citizens of Israel announced yesterday, during its secretariat meeting in Nazareth, a general strike for Palestinian Arab citizens on Tuesday, October 1, to mark the 24th anniversary of the Second Intifada. The committee emphasized that the strike is a unified stance against what it described as a “war of extermination” waged against the Palestinian people over the past 11 months, with the complicity of global powers, particularly the United States.
The committee urged political factions, popular organizations, and the Palestinian public to begin mobilizing efforts to ensure the success of the strike. This initiative, they stated, comes as part of the ongoing resistance against the increasing oppression of Palestinians, particularly in the occupied territories, with a focus on the escalating violence in the West Bank.
During the meeting, the head of the High Follow-Up Committee, Mohammad Barakeh, underscored the intensifying violence against Palestinians, describing it as a “genocidal war.” He highlighted the recent massacres in the northern West Bank, specifically in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nablus, where infrastructure has been decimated and Palestinian cities and villages have been directly targeted.
Barakeh further noted that, in addition to resisting the war against the Palestinian people, the strike is also a response to the spiraling crime and violence within Palestinian Arab communities in Israel. He accused the Israeli government of facilitating criminal gangs and enabling the destruction of homes, particularly in the Naqab (Negev). Barakeh called for increased grassroots activism and unity in relief efforts, despite the restrictive measures imposed by the occupation authorities.
Mazen Ghanaim, head of the National Committee of Heads of Arab Local Authorities, also addressed the meeting. He recounted his recent engagement with the Israeli Prime Minister and other officials to address crime in Palestinian Arab communities. While he noted some progress, Ghanaim expressed skepticism about the long-term outcomes of these discussions. He revealed that further talks with the Israeli President are expected.
The meeting also delved into the ongoing suffering of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails since October 7, 2023. Prisoners reportedly face daily assaults, torture, and systematic starvation, compounded by the denial of medical care. Sheikh Kamal Khatib, head of the Freedoms Committee, proposed convening a special session with human rights activists and the families of prisoners to address these issues.
The meeting concluded with several key resolutions. The Higher Follow-up Committee declared a general strike on the anniversary of the Second Intifada, which would serve as a protest against the ongoing war on Palestinians, the rampant crime plaguing Palestinian Arab communities inside Israel, and the demolition of homes, particularly in areas like the Naqab. Alongside this, the committee committed to launching a comprehensive media campaign to raise awareness about these issues, and organizing a central march in the Batuf area, calling upon political forces to mobilize widespread participation in the strike and related activities.
Additionally, the committee plans to convene a special meeting to address the deteriorating conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. This meeting would include the participation of human rights activists and the families of prisoners, aiming to bring more attention to the daily assaults, torture, and deprivation they face. The committee also emphasized the need to strengthen the ongoing relief campaign for Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, stressing the importance of transparency in the distribution of humanitarian aid to ensure it reaches those most in need.
Finally, the committee underscored the necessity of coordinating with student organizations in Israeli universities. This effort is aimed at preparing for the upcoming academic year and confronting the expected challenges, particularly the dangers facing Palestinian Arab students in these institutions. The committee’s resolutions reflect a broader strategy to sustain Palestinian resistance and strengthen solidarity among the Palestinian Arab community, both in Israel and the occupied territories.
