Far-Right Party Seeks to Disqualify Arab Lawmaker Over Hamas Attack Remarks

The far-right Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has filed a request to disqualify Sami Abu Shehadeh, a former member of the Knesset and head of the Balad party, from running in the upcoming elections. The disqualification bid centers on an article Abu Shehadeh published on October 8, 2023, just one day after Hamas's deadly attack on Israel.

In the article, Abu Shehadeh described the Hamas assault, referred to by the party as the 'Al-Aqsa Flood,' as an event of "military and strategic significance." He also wrote that if Gaza could achieve such an outcome, "others can." The disqualification request argues that these statements, made while Israel was still counting its dead and dealing with the aftermath of the massacre, demonstrate support for terrorism and an intent to harm the state.

The request highlights Abu Shehadeh's framing of the attack not as a massacre but as a "flood battle," and his assertion that "many years of occupation and siege... cannot but lead to a response." Otzma Yehudit contends that such rhetoric, which they claim embraces Hamas terminology and encourages further violence, disqualifies him from seeking public trust and serving in the Israeli parliament.

The Central Elections Committee and potentially the High Court of Justice will now review the request. The article expresses skepticism about the court's willingness to disqualify Abu Shehadeh, referencing past decisions.

Abu Shehadeh has previously been a member of the Knesset within the Joint List, an alliance of Arab-majority parties. His party, Balad, is seeking to return to the Knesset.