Balad praises slain Palestinian doctor-gunman claimed as terror group member
In a Facebook post, the Arab nationalist party includes a poem in memory of Abdullah Abu Tin, who was killed last week in an armed clash with Israeli forces in Jenin
A post on Balad's official Facebook page that seems to praise Palestinian doctor and gunmen Abdullah Abu Tin who died in an armed conflict with Israeli forces in Jenin on October 14, 2022. (Screenshot/Facebook: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
The Arab nationalist party Balad posted a statement on its official Facebook page that appeared to praise a Palestinian doctor who was killed in an armed clash with Israeli forces in the West Bank.
In a post written in Arabic on Friday, the same day as the clash, the party included a part of a poem in Abdullah Abu Tin’s memory that read: “May Allah protect you, for no prophet like you has been seen or heard,” and concluded the post with: “May God have mercy on you.”
The post also included a picture of Abu Tin.
According to an Israeli security source, Abu Tin was armed and directly involved in the battle that developed between Israeli forces and Palestinian gunmen in the Jenin refugee camp.
In a poster announcing his death, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades terror group claimed Abu Tin as a member and said he died “in an armed clash” with Israeli forces “defending the homeland.” The poster showed him posing with five assault rifles.
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A Telegram account thought to be tied to the group also published a brief statement saying Abu Tin “was martyred while fighting shoulder to shoulder with the resistance fighters.”
Abdullah Abu Tin, a doctor and a reported member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, is seen holding several assault rifles in an undated photo circulated online after his death on October 14, 2022. (Social media, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
Last month, Balad was barred from running in Israel’s general elections in November, with the Central Elections Committee accepting a petition that alleged that the party undermines Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
However, after Balad appealed the decision, the High Court overturned the ruling against the Arab nationalist party, allowing it to run in the upcoming elections.
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Balad party head Sami Abu Shehadeh speaks at a Central Elections Committee meeting against disqualifying Balad from running in the upcoming elections on September 29, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
Headed by Sami Abou Shehadeh, Balad broke off last month from Hadash and Ta’al, its former partners in the Joint List.
Polling suggests that the Balad party will fall far short of the electoral threshold.
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