Supporters Protest Jafar Farah's Withdrawal From Election List

Supporters of Jafar Farah expressed outrage outside an election hall in Shfaram on Saturday after his nomination for the second seat on the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash) list was withdrawn. Protesters, some holding signs, demanded that the list remain as chosen by the public, arguing that Farah's withdrawal raises serious questions about the party's respect for its constitution and voters' will. Hanan Mahmoud from Haifa stated she had initially boycotted the elections but decided to vote for Farah, whom she described as a long-time friend and advocate for the Arab community. She called the party's actions a "farce" and declared she would boycott the elections if Farah was not on the list.

Lawyer Sirin Abu Libben, a member of the Lod municipality, also attended to support Farah, calling him a representative of her voice in public discourse and a defender of Arab community issues. She urged Farah to leave the party permanently and told the party leadership to "be ashamed." Younis Shalabi from Iksal deemed the situation "unconstitutional" and a violation of the party's bylaws, asserting that Knesset representatives should be chosen by the general conference, not the party secretariat. He characterized Farah's situation as a "political and moral assassination" of both Farah and the party's constitution, urging the party leader, Dr. Yousef Jabareen, to resign if the party proceeded with what he called a "betrayal of the constitution."

Meanwhile, senior Democratic Front leader Mohammed Barakeh visited Farah in the hospital and spoke with him. Barakeh told supporters gathered outside the hall that Farah would issue a statement clarifying his position upon his release from the hospital. Barakeh also stated that the announcement of Farah's withdrawal, made Friday, was done with Farah's "consent and approval."

However, lawyer Nibal Aradat, close to Farah, asserted that Farah had not officially resigned or withdrawn his candidacy. She demanded that the list remain as the public chose it, citing the party constitution which states the public chooses and removes representatives. Aradat requested that Farah be given until Sunday to issue a statement, noting that more party members were outside the meeting than inside.