Otzma Yehudit Party Seeks to Disqualify Balad Chairman Over Post-Oct 7 Article

The Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has filed a request to disqualify Sami Abu Shehadeh, chairman of the Balad party, from running for the Knesset. The petition, submitted Tuesday, argues that an article published by Abu Shehadeh on October 8, 2023, praised terrorists, supported convicted terrorists, justified the "Wall Guard" riots, and advocated for the elimination of Israel's Jewish character.

The article in question was published while Hamas terrorists were still inside Israel holding hostages. In it, Abu Shehadeh described the October 7th events as a "strategic event" and "important historical event" with significant military, political, and strategic implications. He also wrote that Israeli intelligence is not omniscient and that if Gaza could penetrate Israeli territory and political parties, others could do so more effectively.

The disqualification request, filed by attorneys Zeev Wolf and David Babli, cites two grounds under Basic Law: Knesset - denial of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and support for armed struggle against it. The petitioners reference past Supreme Court rulings, including by former Chief Justice Esther Hayut, stating that Balad's platform negates Israel's core characteristics as a Jewish state, and by former Chief Justice Aharon Barak, who allowed the disqualification of candidates offering political support and legitimacy to armed struggle against the state.

Otzma Yehudit asserts that the evidence clearly and unequivocally meets the threshold for disqualifying Abu Shehadeh, especially after October 7th, arguing that the disqualification clause should not be rendered meaningless. Minister Ben-Gvir stated that the Supreme Court has repeatedly approved candidates who support terrorism, contrary to the law, and that it is time for a systemic change to prevent supporters of terrorism from entering the Knesset. He suggested Abu Shehadeh should join Azmi Bishara, a former Knesset member who fled Israel amid accusations of aiding Hezbollah.