The Higher Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel has announced a general strike on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024. This action is being undertaken in response to ongoing human rights abuses, marking the 24th anniversary of the Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa uprising.

In times of crisis, societies face profound tests, seen through their commitment to their core values, their identity, the right to life, and their collective unity come to the forefront.

The Arab Higher Follow-Up Committee, consisting of the National Committee of Heads of Arab Local Authorities, various political parties, and the Arab Education Follow-Up Committee, is calling on all citizens to fully engage in the general strike. This day is dedicated to honoring the martyrs, fostering unity, and peacefully protesting the continuous violations committed against the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel form an integral part of the broader struggle for equality and social justice. Firmly rooted in the principles of dignity and justice, they persist in their pursuit of these rights within their homeland. This strike is a powerful expression of unified resistance against the daily injustices displayed with pride on our screens.

This strike is crucial against the backdrop of an escalating situation. The Israeli government continues to carry out military operations in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and against sacred Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem, while Palestinian prisoners face continued oppression. Moreover, criminal settler groups, with impunity, spread terror, committing acts of violence in Palestinian villages and cities. These events coincide with the increased demolition of Arab homes, particularly in the Naqab (Negev).

The Committee urges all Arab Palestinian citizens in Israel to actively ensure the success of this strike. This is a call for peaceful protest involving local authorities, educational institutions, and businesses, excluding only private educational facilities. Given the unstable security situation in the north, the national march planned for Arabeh has been canceled as a precautionary measure to prevent further escalation of hostilities.

Despite the march's cancellation, the Follow-Up Committee maintains that visits to the memorials of martyrs from the Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa uprising will proceed as per the annual schedule. 

As the day approaches, the Arab Education Follow-Up Committee calls on parents to use this time meaningfully with their children. It suggests engaging in discussions about the Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa uprising, reflecting on cultural identity and national history through films, literature, and other educational activities.

The Mossawa Center for Human Rights underscores the importance of wide participation, stressing that the Palestinian Arab community’s voice for true peace and human rights must be heard amidst the rising tide of fascism in the country.