Balad Party Denounces Effort to Disqualify MK Sami Abu Shehadeh

The Balad party has strongly criticized a disqualification request filed by the Otzma Yehudit party against its chairman, Sami Abu Shehadeh. Balad characterized the move as "a new link in a chain of incitement and political persecution" aimed at delegitimizing the Arab public, its leadership, and its political representatives.

In a statement, Balad defended Abu Shehadeh, describing him as a lifelong fighter and activist dedicated to human rights, Palestinian rights, freedom, justice, and equality. The party asserted that his national and political stances have always been part of an open political struggle to advance these principles for both Palestinians and Jews. Balad emphasized that Abu Shehadeh has consistently voiced opposition to harming civilians and bloodshed, as well as to war and its humanitarian suffering.

The party reiterated its commitment to the national rights of the Palestinian people and ending the occupation, stating that opposing war and civilian harm is a principled human stance, just as opposing occupation, oppression, and discrimination, and defending Palestinian rights, are legitimate political and national positions.

Balad suggested that the attempt to disqualify Abu Shehadeh is connected to broader efforts to disqualify the Joint List, Ra'am, and Knesset Member Ofer Cassif. The party expressed grave concerns that these actions signal a shrinking space for political activity and democratic representation, and an attack on Arab and Jewish voices opposing war, occupation, and racism, while advocating for equality and justice.

This comes after Abu Shehadeh published an article a day after the October 7th Hamas attacks, expressing understanding for the motivations behind the assault and suggesting that if "small, besieged Gaza" could carry out such an attack, others could do so more effectively.