Controversial committee demands halt to defensive strikes, ignoring Iranian threats while amplifying divisive rhetoric.
Amid Israel’s ongoing defensive campaign against Iran’s escalating aggression, the Higher Follow-Up Committee for Israel’s Arabs has issued a statement calling for an immediate halt to the joint U.S.-Israeli military operations. The committee, chaired by Jamal Zahalka, convened in Umm al-Fahm and characterized the war as an “aggressive colonial” effort, a claim widely seen as dismissing the very real and ongoing threats posed by the Iranian regime and its terror proxies.
The committee further called for unrestricted Muslim access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, despite heightened security measures implemented due to credible threats and recent missile attacks targeting Jerusalem, including areas surrounding sensitive religious sites. Israeli authorities have consistently emphasized that temporary restrictions are driven by security imperatives aimed at protecting all worshippers, regardless of faith.
In its statement, the committee criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and Judea and Samaria, repeating allegations of human rights violations and warning against displacement policies. However, these claims come at a time when Israel is actively engaged in countering terror networks and safeguarding civilians from attacks orchestrated by Iran-backed groups operating across multiple fronts.
The call for international and regional pressure on Israel reflects a broader attempt to shift focus away from the destabilizing role played by Iran and its allies. Security experts note that such narratives risk undermining efforts to restore stability and embolden hostile actors in the region.
The committee also announced plans to organize a delegation to Jerusalem and to revive “Black Flag Marches” following the war, framing them as part of a broader campaign. Critics argue that such moves may deepen internal divisions at a time when national unity is crucial in the face of external threats.Amid Israel’s ongoing defensive campaign against Iran’s escalating aggression, the Higher Follow-Up Committee for Israel’s Arabs has issued a statement calling for an immediate halt to the joint U.S.-Israeli military operations. The committee, chaired by Jamal Zahalka, convened in Umm al-Fahm and characterized the war as an “aggressive colonial” effort, a claim widely seen as dismissing the very real and ongoing threats posed by the Iranian regime and its terror proxies.
The committee further called for unrestricted Muslim access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, despite heightened security measures implemented due to credible threats and recent missile attacks targeting Jerusalem, including areas surrounding sensitive religious sites. Israeli authorities have consistently emphasized that temporary restrictions are driven by security imperatives aimed at protecting all worshippers, regardless of faith.
In its statement, the committee criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and Judea and Samaria, repeating allegations of human rights violations and warning against displacement policies. However, these claims come at a time when Israel is actively engaged in countering terror networks and safeguarding civilians from attacks orchestrated by Iran-backed groups operating across multiple fronts.
The call for international and regional pressure on Israel reflects a broader attempt to shift focus away from the destabilizing role played by Iran and its allies. Security experts note that such narratives risk undermining efforts to restore stability and embolden hostile actors in the region.
The committee also announced plans to organize a delegation to Jerusalem and to revive “Black Flag Marches” following the war, framing them as part of a broader campaign. Critics argue that such moves may deepen internal divisions at a time when national unity is crucial in the face of external threats.
