Elections Committee disqualifies Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from Knesset run

The Central Elections Committee ruled Wednesday to disqualify Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from running in the 26th Knesset elections, according to Israeli media reports. The decision also disqualifies the Ra'am party and MK Ofer Cassif. Commentator Yotam Zamiri said of Abu Shehadeh: 'The fact that this man was not handcuffed on October 8 and sitting in prison until now is a hallucination.'

The Central Elections Committee voted Wednesday evening to disqualify Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from the upcoming Knesset elections, as reported by i24NEWS and Channel 14. The committee also disqualified the Ra'am party and MK Ofer Cassif (Hadash) in the same session, with 18 members voting in favor of disqualifying Ra'am, five against, and one abstention. According to a first-report by Avraham Hasson on Channel 14, Abu Shehadeh is now considering withdrawing his candidacy in order to avoid creating a precedent should the Supreme Court uphol the disqualification. The move follows a petition by Otzma Yehudit and Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who cited Abu Shehadeh's public support for the October 7 Hamas massacre. The decisions will be submited to the Supreme Court for review.

3 developments

1. 22:18 · 23 SeptLatest

   Central Elections Committee officially disqualifies Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh.

2. 20:26 · 23 Sept

   Committee also disqualified MKs Ofer Cassif and Sami Abu Shehadeh.

3. 16:02 · 23 Sept

   18-5 vote; judge cast first disqualification vote in 20 years.

• Strong19:24 · 23 SeptAbu Shehadeh tells elections committee he did not support armed struggle
• Strong17:25 · 16 SeptYaara Zered says Balad chairman's Oct 7 praise disqualifies him from Knesset
• Strong17:53 · 23 SeptAttorney Yosef Jabarin defends Sami Abu Shehadeh at CEC disqualification hearings
• Strong12:48 · 23 SeptBen Gvir at Abu Shehadeh disqualification hearing: 'He must be in prison'

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