Arab Parties Submit Responses to Knesset Candidacy Disqualification Bids

The Adalah Legal Center submitted responses on Friday to the Central Elections Committee on behalf of the Joint List, the United Arab List, the National Democratic Assembly party, its chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, and Knesset Member Ofer Cassif. These responses counter requests to disqualify their candidacies for the upcoming Knesset elections. The Central Elections Committee is scheduled to discuss these disqualification requests on September 23.

The Joint List's response, filed against a Likud party request, argued that the disqualification bid was arbitrary and misleading, failing to meet legal standards. It stated that most evidence cited was old, previously discussed, and in some cases, already settled by the Supreme Court. The list also contended that the proposed legislation forming the basis of the request was legitimate and upheld principles of equality and pluralism.

The United Arab List's response, submitted against requests from the Otzma Yehudit and Likud parties, and the 'Righteous Assembly Forum' (Buharim Bahayim), asserted there was no evidence supporting claims of the list backing armed struggle by a terrorist organization or enemy state. The response highlighted the party's opposition to Hamas's October 7 attacks and noted its chairman, Dr. Mansour Abbas, had actively worked for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

The National Democratic Assembly's response, against a request from the 'Orot HaShachar - Everyone's Party,' pointed out that the request specifically targeted their party for disqualification, even though they are part of the Joint List and not running independently. The response claimed the request lacked evidence and relied on inaccurate information.

Sami Abu Shehadeh's response, filed against a request from Otzma Yehudit and Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, characterized the attempt to link him to 'supporting violence' as a baseless political maneuver. He reiterated his condemnation of harming innocents, both Jewish and Arab, before and during the recent war.

Knesset Member Ofer Cassif's response, submitted by the Likud party, addressed accusations of 'aiding the enemy during wartime' by calling the claims distorted quotes intended to mislead. Cassif stated that the ruling party should blame itself for Israel's "miserable diplomatic situation" and called the attempt to find a scapegoat for the government's failures a "disgraceful fascist practice."