Eisenkot Backs Disqualification of Balad Chairman Over October 7 Remarks

National Unity party chairman Gadi Eisenkot announced his support for disqualifying the candidacy of Balad party chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh for the 26th Knesset. The party stated that Abu Shehadeh's remarks on October 7, defining Hamas's attack as a "historically important event militarily, politically, and strategically," cannot be erased by a clarification post.

Eisenkot's party emphasized that Abu Shehadeh's statement came after it was already known that hundreds were murdered and taken hostage. They further noted that his clarification, issued nearly three years later, does not negate his initial words. The party highlighted that Abu Shehadeh now claims he did not support the massacre, but this comes only as his candidacy is being reviewed.

Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh had previously described the Hamas attack as a significant historical event. Following widespread criticism, he later posted a clarification stating he did not support the massacre, but this clarification was issued almost three years after the initial event.