Hadash Party Candidate Jaafar Farah Withdraws Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

Jaafar Farah, a candidate for the Hadash party's Knesset list, has withdrawn his candidacy following allegations of sexual harassment. The controversy erupted after Farah was selected for the second spot on the party's list, a position designated for Hadash.

Numerous party members and activists voiced strong opposition, with some threatening to withhold their votes from the Joint List alliance and others considering leaving Hadash. These sentiments persisted even after a party council meeting on Monday, which resulted in the "suspension" of Farah's candidacy. The opposition was not unified on the specific allegations against Farah, with some defending him, others criticizing the process and timing, and some viewing the leadership's decision as a retreat from an earlier stance. This broadened the dispute from Farah's candidacy to a crisis of confidence in the party's decision-making.

Faten Ghattas was chosen to replace Farah in the fourth position on the Joint List, which submitted its candidate list on Tuesday. The allegations against Farah first surfaced in 2019, which he denied. The issue resurfaced in May when Farah was selected by the Hadash council. Two NGOs, A-Siwar and Women Against Violence, presented evidence to the party leadership in June, leading to a public campaign in August calling for his resignation. Farah has consistently denied the claims and offered to face an independent review.

A special committee formed by Maki and Hadash concluded that its role was not to investigate the facts but to examine the political, moral, organizational, and media handling of the affair. The committee recommended that Farah consider withdrawing his candidacy. While Farah initially refused, he later agreed to withdraw after his candidacy was "suspended" by the council. He was hospitalized during this period, and his withdrawal was announced by Hadash while he was receiving treatment. However, after his release, Farah stated he had not withdrawn and had received threats.

The party council ultimately voted to freeze Farah's candidacy, and Faten Ghattas was selected to replace him. Hadash emphasized that Farah would still participate in the campaign and that the decision pertained only to his candidacy in the current elections. Supporters of the decision hailed it as a courageous moral and democratic step, while others viewed it as a victory for feminist organizations. Farah's supporters felt he was wronged but believed he emerged with increased public sympathy. Farah himself stated that he and his family had regained their personal and family lives and that he would continue his activism.