Balad Party Chairman Regrets October 7th Article Amid Disqualification Bid

Sami Abu Shehadeh, chairman of the Balad party, has expressed regret over an article he published in Arabic on October 8th, the day after the Hamas attack, stating that had he been aware of the full extent of the atrocities at the time, he would not have published it. He emphasized his clear opposition to the massacre of Israeli civilians in the Gaza border communities.

Abu Shehadeh's remarks come amid a disqualification request filed against him by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The Balad chairman rejected the accusations, reiterating his unequivocal stance against harming any human beings, whether Palestinian or Israeli. He condemned the October 7th atrocities against Gaza border residents just as he condemns the ongoing harm to civilians in the Gaza Strip.

He further clarified that his condemnation of the massacre does not contradict his opposition to the war in Gaza, the mass killing of civilians, and the destruction occurring there. Abu Shehadeh asserted he has never called for violence, supported the October 7th events, or justified them. He stated his opposition to the occupation and the war, and his support for Palestinian rights, have never constituted support for violence or armed struggle.

Abu Shehadeh criticized Ben-Gvir's disqualification request as absurd, pointing to Ben-Gvir's past convictions for inciting racism and supporting a terror organization. He contrasted this with his own lifelong public and non-violent political activism for freedom, justice, and equality.

Minister Ben-Gvir responded by calling Abu Shehadeh's attempt to lecture him "the greatest absurdity." He accused Abu Shehadeh of writing an article calling the Hamas attack an "important historical event" while Israeli soldiers were fighting and residents were under siege. Ben-Gvir stated he is proud of fighting Israel's enemies and expects the Election Committee and Supreme Court to approve his disqualification request, vowing to personally represent the 'Otzma Yehudit' party's bid to prevent Abu Shehadeh from serving in the Knesset.