Israeli police interrogate Palestinian comedian over stand-up shows

Israeli police briefly detained and questioned Palestinian artist and comedian Nidal Badarneh on Monday over his stand-up shows, according to his family.

His home in Haifa was raided, and the Palestinian citizens of Israel was taken in for investigation under the pretext of "posing a danger to the public," the family told Arab48 news outlet.

The arrest followed calls from far-right Israeli groups to cancel his shows, including one in Nazareth last Friday.

Israeli officers also reportedly pressured gallery owners to cancel his performances without legal grounds.

Another show in Haifa was cancelled by police to "preserve the safety of the audience," with far-right groups claiming the show addressed Israeli detainees in Gaza.

His family believes the arrest is part of a broader campaign against Badarneh, fuelled by far-right incitement. They accused police of targeting him through threats to cancel his shows.

Read more: Israeli police interrogate Palestinian comedian over stand-up shows