‘Israel’ arrests Palestinian-American comedian Amer Zahr after Nazareth show

• The police detained him without announcing charges or his place of detention.
• Rights activists warn the move targets artistic and political expression, citing Zahr’s use of satire to highlight Palestinian suffering under occupation.

‘Israel’ police arrested Palestinian-American comedian and political activist Amer Zahr on Friday following a comedy performance in the occupied city of Nazareth, in a move widely seen as targeting a prominent Palestinian voice known for his international activism.

Security harassment during show

Witnesses attending the performance at Al Iwan Café said occupation police began harassing Zahr shortly after he took the stage, creating a tense atmosphere throughout the show.

After the performance ended, which was part of a previously announced tour, police detained Zahr and took him to an undisclosed location. No official reason for the arrest or charges has been announced so far.

Return to roots

Zahr, a writer and director based in the United States and originally from Nazareth, arrived in the city earlier this week from America to participate in the artistic program.

He is widely known for using satirical comedy to highlight the Palestinian cause and the daily suffering of Palestinians under occupation, a stance that has repeatedly made him a target of surveillance and harassment.

Growing concern over his fate

Cultural and human rights circles in Nazareth and beyond have expressed growing concern over Zahr’s whereabouts, especially amid continued silence from occupation authorities regarding his place of detention.

Activists said the arrest reflects a broader policy of silencing and suppressing artistic and political expression critical of the occupation, even when carried out by artists holding foreign citizenship, including American nationality.