The Public Prosecution’s attempt to conceal information clearly points to the discriminatory policy it follows towards Arabs in such cases.

The Adalah Legal Center and the Mezan Center for Human Rights have called on the Magistrate Court in Nazareth to oblige the Israeli Public Prosecution to disclose details and numbers of indictments in cases and investigations filed against Jewish citizens for incitement during the “Al-Karamah Uprising” events that erupted in May 2021.

This request was made during a session held on Thursday (26/5/2022) to review the indictment against Sheikh Kamal Khatib, the head of the Freedoms Committee of the Higher Follow-Up Committee, who is accused of inciting violence during the “Al-Karamah Uprising.” During the session, the Israeli Public Prosecution refused to reveal any indictments filed against Jews for incitement.

The Adalah Legal Center and the Mezan Center for Human Rights, represented in this case by lawyers Hassan Jabareen, Omar Khamaisi, and Ramzi Katilat, emphasized that the Prosecution’s response in court clearly indicated that they did not want to provide any information regarding the filing of incitement charges against Jews. This response highlights the discriminatory policy the Public Prosecution follows toward Arabs in such cases.

Adalah and Mezan explained that their request during the court session to ask the Prosecution about incitement charges against Jews was a basic request that any lawyer would make to defend their client. This request is aimed at examining whether there is discrimination between Arabs and Jews on a nationalistic basis in such cases, which they believe to be the case with the indictment against Sheikh Kamal Khatib.

Adalah and Mezan also noted that the judge asked the Public Prosecution to reconsider its position and pointed out that the next session to continue discussing this matter will take place on 19/6/2022, while a session for hearing the Prosecution’s witnesses will be held on 20/7/2022.

Thursday – 26/5/2022