Jewish Power Party Seeks to Disqualify Arab Lawmaker from Knesset

The far-right Otzma Yehudit party has formally requested the Central Elections Committee to disqualify Arab Israeli lawmaker Sami Abu Shehadeh from running in the upcoming Knesset elections. The petition, filed by attorneys Ze'ev Wolf and David Bavli, cites two grounds for disqualification under Israeli law: denying Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state, and supporting armed struggle against Israel by an enemy state or terror group.

The party's request includes a detailed collection of evidence, primarily focusing on an article Abu Shehadeh published on October 8, 2023, amidst the ongoing conflict following the Hamas attacks. In the article, Abu Shehadeh reportedly described the October 7th attacks as a "historically important event militarily, politically, and strategically," and wrote that if "Gaza, small and besieged, managed to do this... others can do it more effectively and simply." Otzma Yehudit claims Abu Shehadeh praised Hamas's actions during a "national disaster" and urged others to replicate the pattern.

The petition also highlights other statements made by Abu Shehadeh after the massacre, including his assertion that "the real battle was decided on October 7th," his use of the term "legendary achievement" for Gaza's resistance, and his characterization of Hamas operatives as "resistance fighters."

Otzma Yehudit's legal team referenced past rulings by former Supreme Court presidents, including Esther Hayut, who stated that Balad party legislation constituted a denial of Israel's core values, and Aharon Barak, who indicated that supporting armed struggle against the state could be grounds for disqualification. The party argues that this evidence constitutes a clear case for disqualification under the law, especially after the events of October 7th, leaving no room for interpretation that would nullify the disqualification clause.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of Otzma Yehudit, stated that the Supreme Court has historically approved candidates who support terrorism, contrary to the law, and that it's time for a systemic change to prevent "terror supporters from taking over" the Knesset. He suggested Abu Shehadeh should join Azmi Bishara, another Israeli Arab politician who fled the country facing accusations of aiding Hezbollah.