Otzma Yehudit filed a request to disqualify Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from the Knesset over an article he published on October 8, 2023, praising the Hamas massacre as a 'historic event.' Senior Justice Ministry officials are reportedly divided on whether to support the request; a decision has not yet been reached.
Otzma Yehudit, led by Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, filed a formal request to disqualify Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from the Knesset over an article he published on October 8, 2023 — one day after the Hamas-led massacre. In the article, published on a Qatari-owned website run by former MK Azmi Bishara, Abu Shehadeh described the attack as a 'historic event' militarily, politically, and strategically, and suggested that others could replicate it.
As The Zioneer reported on September 16, the request was submitted to the Central Elections Committee. Now, senior officials in the Justice Ministry are reportedly divided on whether to support the disqualification, with some arguing the statements justify removal and others opposing. No final decision has been made.
The case touches on the legal boundaries of political speech in Israel, particularly regarding praise for terrorism. Abu Shehadeh's article was written while Israeli communities were still under attack and bodies lay in the streets.
3 developments
- StrongAttorney Yosef Jabarin defends Sami Abu Shehadeh at CEC disqualification hearings
- StrongAbu Shehadeh tells elections committee he did not support armed struggle
- StrongAG representative: lack of article disclaimer reveals candidate's real-time thinking
- StrongYaara Zered says Balad chairman's Oct 7 praise disqualifies him from Knesset
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