Israeli police interrogate Palestinian comedian over stand-up shows

According to reports, Israeli police briefly detained and interrogated Palestinian artist and comedian Nidal Badarne on Monday, citing his stand-up comedy performances as the reason. Badarne's family stated that the detention was related to the content of his performances, raising concerns about artistic freedom.

Badarne's family revealed to Arab48 news media that police took the Palestinian, who holds Israeli citizenship, from his Haifa home for investigation on the grounds that he "posed a danger to the public." This incident has sparked concerns about freedom of expression and the potential for censorship.

Previously, some far-right Israeli groups had called for the cancellation of Badarne's performances, including one in Nazareth last Friday. It was also reported that Israeli police pressured gallery owners to cancel his shows without any legal basis. A performance in Haifa was also canceled by the police under the pretext of "maintaining the safety of the audience," with far-right groups claiming the performance involved Israelis held in Gaza.

Badarne's family believes that the arrest is part of a broader campaign against Badarne, fueled by far-right incitement. They accuse the police of targeting him by threatening to cancel his performances. "This arrest is the result of a fierce fascist media incitement campaign against Nidal and the content of his comedic art," they stated, highlighting the political motivations behind the actions.

Badarne had previously told Arab48 that Israeli police warned him not to perform in Nazareth. He criticized the police for bypassing the law and acting as "an institution independent of the law." "They told me verbatim, 'It's not good for you to come to Nazareth, and if you hold a show, we will act and not allow you to do so,'" the comedian said. "Police anywhere in the world do not engage in this form of 'bullying,' but they seem to be acting based on incitement from the extreme right. The bans on performances in Haifa and Nazareth have no legal basis." Badarne plans to take legal action, collaborating with the Adalah legal center in Haifa, to protect his rights and continue his work. The center sent an urgent letter to the Israeli Attorney General last week, urging intervention to stop the targeting of Badarne.

Adalah emphasized that the "illegal" political persecution of Badarne since October 7, 2023, is part of a broader effort to suppress expressions by Palestinians within Israel. This has led to nearly 200 incitement charges and numerous illegal arrests, aimed at intimidating artists and preventing their performances. On Wednesday, Israeli police raided the home of Saeed Hassanain, a journalist and former game announcer for the Bnei Sakhnin football club. The Palestinian, who holds Israeli citizenship, was charged with "incitement" for criticizing Israel and the army in an interview with Al-Aqsa TV. He stated, "The IDF is an occupation army, and Israel is the enemy," reflecting the charged political climate.

Hassanain condemned Israeli Palestinian citizens who join the army, calling them "weak-willed." He also praised how Hamas treats hostages captured in Gaza, stating, "The Islamic Resistance acts with complete humanity according to Islamic law and proves to the world that Hamas preserves human dignity and respects the women who were captured on October 7. Hamas defended them according to religious teachings, Islamic law, and Palestinian conscience." Hassanain's remarks sparked public outrage in Israel, leading to his dismissal as Bnei Sakhnin's announcer and his subsequent arrest, illustrating the consequences of expressing controversial political opinions.