The Yashar party, led by MK Gadi Eisenkot, announced support for disqualifying Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from the Knesset, saying that remarks he made on October 8, 2023 cannot be erased with a clarification post.
The Yashar party, chaired by MK Gadi Eisenkot, formally announced Tuesday evening its support for disqualifying Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from the Knesset race, stating that his October 8, 2023 remarks 'cannot be erased with a clarification post.' The party's declaration follows a day of mounting pressure: at 13:46, Eisenkot personally backed disqualification; at 16:04, The Zioneer reported on a bulletin confirming that; at 17:29, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara told the Central Elections Committee that Abu Shehadeh expressed support for a terror organization and should be seriously considered for disqualification.
The thread on Abu Shehadeh's candidacy unfolded today. At 13:46, Eisenkot first publicly backed disqualification, citing the October 8 remarks. By 16:04, The Zioneer had published a bulletin corroborating that position. The Attorney General's advisory at 17:29 added legal gravity, stating that Abu Shehadeh had 'expressed support for a terror organization.' The Yashar party's formal announcement tonight consolidates the political push within the opposition.
The disqualification effort is part of a broader campaign against Abu Shehadeh. As The Zioneer reported on Sep 16, activist Yaara Zered denounced his candidacy, and on Sep 18, Abu Shehadeh told the committee that his words were mistranslated and that he was unaware of the full scale of the October 7 massacre at the time of writing.
The Central Elections Committee has not yet issued a final decision. Abu Shehadeh continues to deny the allegations.
3 developments
- StrongBen Gvir: Abu Shehadeh resignation fulfills promise, laments court forgoing disqualification
- DevelopingElections Committee disqualifies Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from Knesset run
- StrongLiberman responds to Balad chairman Abu Shehadeh's resignation
- StrongYaara Zered says Balad chairman's Oct 7 praise disqualifies him from Knesset
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