Arab-Israeli Candidate Abu Shehadeh Withdraws From Israeli Election After Court Signals Disqualification
The court said a majority of judges backed disqualification over his remarks on the October 7 attack, and Balad withdrew to avoid a formal ruling.
- On Thursday, Palestinian politician Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew his candidacy for the October 27 election after Israel's Supreme Court signaled a majority of justices supported barring him from the race.
- The disqualification effort centered on an October 8, 2023, article in which Abu Shehadeh described the Hamas-led October 7 attack as an "important historical event," drawing sharp criticism.
- Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit urged the Balad leader to withdraw voluntarily to avoid a formal ruling, a move the rights group Adalah characterized as a "severe blow" to Palestinian representation.
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir welcomed the withdrawal, claiming victory against "supporters of terrorism," while Balad insisted the decision does not mark the end of their political struggle.
- The Joint List alliance pledged to mobilize voters for the October 27 election, arguing that attempts to exclude candidates cannot silence Palestinian political representation and parliamentary participation.
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66 Articles
RECIT - The Israeli Supreme Court pushed Sami Abu Shahadeh to withdraw his candidacy for the legislature, telling him that a majority of his judges were in favour of his disqualification. Balad's leader was questioned for an article published the day after 7 October.
The Arab parties are allowed to take part in Israel's parliamentary election at the end of October. Because neither Netanyahu's camp nor his opponents expect a majority, the Islamic-conservative Ra'am could become decisive.
Israeli court pressure pushes Israeli Arab leader to quit election race
By Pesha Magid JERUSALEM, Oct 2 (Reuters) - The head of a left-wing Arab party has dropped out of Israel's election after the country's Supreme Court advised him that a majority of judges supported disqualifying him if he did not voluntarily withdraw. ...
At the end of October, a groundbreaking parliamentary election is due in Israel. The Central Electoral Committee wanted to exclude Arab parties from it - this decision has now been overturned by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of Israel has rejected this Friday the decision of the Electoral Commission of the country of...
Israel's Supreme Court overturns a decision that Arab parties should be excluded from the parliamentary election. They could be decisive in the next formation of government.
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