Gadi Eisenkot's Party Backs Disqualification of Balad Chairman

The "Yisrael" party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, announced its support for disqualifying Sami Abu Shahadeh, chairman of the Balad party, from running in the upcoming Knesset elections. The party stated that Abu Shahadeh's remarks made on October 8, 2023, the day after the Hamas attack, crossed a "red line." Specifically, they cited his description of the Hamas assault as a "historically important event militarily, politically, and strategically," and his assertion that if "little, besieged Gaza" could carry out such an attack, others could do so more effectively.

"Yisrael" emphasized that Abu Shahadeh's later clarification, denying support for the massacre, does not erase his initial statements. The party invoked Basic Law: The Knesset, which prohibits candidates who support the armed struggle of a terror organization against Israel. They argued that Abu Shahadeh's comments constitute support for such a struggle and should disqualify him, asserting that while Arab citizens have a right to representation, supporting terrorism cannot be legitimized.

The announcement comes despite "Yisrael" not having representation on the Central Elections Committee. The party stressed the importance of enforcing the law against supporting terrorism, stating that Abu Shahadeh has crossed that line.

Earlier reports indicated that the hearing on Abu Shahadeh's disqualification might be postponed due to his hospitalization. The hearing concerns a petition to prevent his candidacy, partly based on his post-October 7th article and statements supporting the Hamas attack. The Otzma Yehudit party, which initiated the petition, responded to the potential delay, suggesting Abu Shahadeh is trying to postpone the proceedings. They stated that if necessary, they would seek to question him even in the hospital, accusing him of playing games as the deadline for judicial review approaches.