Hadash Party to Vote on Removing Jafar Farah Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

The Hadash party is convening an emergency meeting of its approximately 800-900 national council members in Shfaram on Tuesday evening to decide on the fate of Jafar Farah's candidacy for the Knesset. Farah, who was initially slated for the second spot on the party's list, recently retracted his resignation from the Knesset race, creating further turmoil.

Farah had announced his withdrawal on Thursday, citing sexual harassment allegations against him. At the time, his announcement was reportedly coordinated with party leadership. Following his withdrawal, the Hadash secretariat selected Samir Abu Zeid, head of the Ilabun council, for the second position.

However, Farah later visited Abu Zeid in the hospital and asserted his intention to remain a candidate, claiming he had not truly resigned and that his initial announcement was made under duress. Farah's associates also stated that the majority of party members wish for him to remain a candidate and that attempts to replace him circumvented the democratic process by which he was elected.

This latest development comes after dozens of Hadash conference representatives protested outside a party secretariat meeting, demanding that Farah's position be respected and calling the process against him a "show trial." The party stated that Farah will be given an opportunity to present his case to the council, which will then vote on recommending his removal. If approved, a further vote will be held to select a replacement.

The party council's decision is also pressing, as the deadline for submitting Knesset lists is Tuesday at 10:00 PM.