The High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, headed by Dr. Jamal Zahalka, announced a general strike today, Thursday, January 22, in all Arab communities. As part of the strike, businesses, schools and public places will not operate in solidarity with Sakhnin, which is suffering from shooting incidents as part of the protection racket phenomenon.

All schools, kindergartens, businesses and public services in Arab localities were closed as part of the protest. The move comes as Sakhnin entered its third consecutive day of shutdown over what residents describe as a near total absence of law enforcement in the face of escalating criminal violence. Since the start of the year, 20 Arab citizens have lost their lives in homicides, as local leaders blame police for failing to rein in the killings.

Kids and their parents rally against the violence in the Arab community, Sakhnin, January 21, 2025 (Photo: Al-Ittihad)

The High Follow-Up Committee, also called on the Arab citizens to join a 3 p.m. march from the A-Salam Mosque in Sakhnin to the police station. In addition, Arab Bedouin citizens in the Negev are also striking in masse, and a parallel demonstration is to be held in Rahat, Israel’s largest Bedouin city. Hadash said on Thursday morning that several thousands of Arabs and Jews from across the country are expected to participate today in the protest. Hadash also called for the broadest participation of the Arab and Jewish public to take part in the upcoming protest in Sakhnin.

Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=33182