Former Israeli lawmaker detained in terror incitement investigation

Israeli police have detained former Knesset member Mohammad Barakeh as part of an investigation into alleged incitement to terrorism.

Authorities opened the case last week and obtained a warrant on June 23 to question Barakeh. Following the interrogation, he was released on bail and barred from entering the West Bank for 30 days, police said, Channel 9 reports. 

Investigators allege that Barakeh, speaking at a rally in the Palestinian city of Ramallah in 2022, praised militants and called for resistance against Israel. The event marked the anniversary of the founding of the Fatah movement.

At the time of the speech, Barakeh was serving as chairman of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, an umbrella organisation representing Arab communities in the country.

Prosecutors contend that Barakeh praised individuals involved in attacks against Israelis, compared Israel to Nazi Germany and called for armed struggle against what he described as the occupation.

Barakeh represented the Hadash party in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, from 1999 to 2015. During his tenure, he served as a deputy speaker of the Knesset and chaired the parliamentary committee on combating drug abuse. After leaving parliament, he became head of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel.

By Sabina Mammadli