Balad Chairman Explains Controversial Oct. 8 Article, Admits Regret
Sami Abu Shehadeh, chairman of the Balad party, has submitted explanations to the Central Elections Committee regarding an article he published on October 8, 2023, the day after the Hamas attack. The response comes after disqualification requests filed by the Otzma Yehudit party and Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who alleged the article supported terrorism. Abu Shehadeh claims he did not know the full extent of the massacre when he wrote the piece and that his intention was to interpret events, not justify them or Hamas. He also stated that the word "campaign" in his article was mistranslated as "battle."
His legal team argues that attributing support for violence or armed struggle to Abu Shehadeh is baseless, highlighting his history of opposing violence as a political tool. They contend that no specific statement or action by Abu Shehadeh demonstrates support for the armed struggle of a terrorist organization. The response acknowledges that while the article might be problematic, it does not meet the legal threshold for disqualification.
In his statement, Abu Shehadeh admits that, in hindsight, he believes publishing the article was a mistake. His lawyers differentiate between interpreting reality and justifying it, asserting that his words do not praise Hamas or endorse armed struggle. They emphasize that his intended political direction was to remove leadership and the political process from Hamas's hands, advocating for a political channel involving the Palestinian Authority and Arab states.
Furthermore, Abu Shehadeh's defense points to his record as a Knesset member, noting no parliamentary actions supporting armed struggle. They also state he has never been prosecuted or investigated for incitement to terrorism, supporting terrorist organizations, or encouraging violence. The legal argument is that a single controversial article, without a pattern of behavior, is insufficient grounds for disqualification under existing legal precedents, which require clear and convincing evidence of repeated actions.
Ultimately, Abu Shehadeh's legal team requests the Central Elections Committee to distinguish between the appropriateness of publishing the article and whether it legally constitutes support for armed struggle, arguing the latter is not proven and seeking to allow him to run in the upcoming Knesset elections.
