National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir welcomed Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh's resignation from the Knesset on Friday, saying the departure was the result of his party's campaign against a 'terror supporter.' Ben Gvir also expressed disappointment that the Supreme Court allowed Abu Shehadeh to resign without issuing a ruling on his disqualification, adding that Abu Shehadeh will 'see the next Knesset on Channel 99.'
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir issued a statement early Friday celebrating the resignation of Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from the Knesset, while criticizing the Supreme Court for allowing the withdrawal without a formal disqualification ruling.
"We promised — we delivered!" Ben Gvir said. "I am happy that the struggle we led brought about the resignation of Sami Abu Shehadeh, after the things he wrote and supported Hamas the day after October 7." He added: "It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court allowed him to resign without a ruling on the disqualification issue. Abu Shehadeh will see the next Knesset on Channel 99. Bye bye Abu Shehadeh!"
The statement came after days of developments in the disqualification proceedings. The Zioneer reported Thursday that Supreme Court President Justice Yitzhak Amit said during a hearing that a majority of justices leaned toward upholding Abu Shehadeh's disqualification and recommended he withdraw. By Thursday evening, The Zioneer reported that Balad had decided to accept the recommendation. Early Friday, The Zioneer reported that Balad officially announced Abu Shehadeh's withdrawal, with the party questioning the "boundaries of political legitimacy for Arab citizens." Ben Gvir initially reacted at 01:31 Jerusalem, saying Abu Shehadeh would "see the next Knesset on Channel 99."
Ben Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party have led the push to disqualify Abu Shehadeh over remarks praising the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre. As The Zioneer reported on September 23, Ben Gvir attended a hearing on the matter and declared Abu Shehadeh "must be in prison."
The Supreme Court's decision to allow the resignation without a final ruling on the disqualification petition leaves the legal question unresolved, a point Ben Gvir highlighted in his statement.
5 developments
- StrongLiberman responds to Balad chairman Abu Shehadeh's resignation
- StrongBen Gvir at Abu Shehadeh disqualification hearing: 'He must be in prison'
- DevelopingElections Committee disqualifies Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from Knesset run
- StrongAG representative: lack of article disclaimer reveals candidate's real-time thinking
Source and signal
- Open-source intake