Left-Leaning Journalists Call for Banning Arab Politician

Israeli journalists Aviad Glickman of Channel 13 and Josh Breiner of Haaretz have called for the disqualification of Sami Abu Shehadeh, chairman of the Balad party, from running in the Knesset elections. Their statements follow Abu Shehadeh's remarks made after the October 7th Hamas attacks.

Glickman stated unequivocally that Abu Shehadeh should be disqualified from running for the Knesset. Breiner echoed this sentiment, rejecting Abu Shehadeh's explanations for his post-attack statements. "There is a moral obligation to disqualify Sami Abu Shehadeh from competing. Nonsense like 'on October 8th I didn't know the extent of the disaster' is unacceptable. There is no place for supporters of terrorism in the Knesset," Breiner wrote.

Breiner also used the opportunity to criticize National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, noting that Ben-Gvir himself was convicted of supporting a terrorist organization. The calls for disqualification come as the Attorney General's office released its position on the matter. While not taking a definitive stance for or against Abu Shehadeh's disqualification, the Attorney General stated that the evidence suggests he allegedly expressed support for a terrorist organization's armed struggle against Israel and urged the Central Elections Committee to carefully consider the disqualification request.

This ambiguous stance has drawn criticism from journalists on the right. Avishai Grinzaig noted it was the first time the Attorney General had not clearly stated whether a candidate should be disqualified, questioning the legal validity of the position. Amit Segal described the Attorney General's stance as "the most cowardly position there is: not taking a position. How characteristic." Netael Bendel of Ynet agreed, commenting that the Attorney General's description of Abu Shehadeh's response as "laconic and unsatisfactory" was also a fitting description of the Attorney General's own position.

Elinor Shirkany Kofman of Israel Hayom argued that the Attorney General should have taken a clearer stance, stating that she believed disqualification should be supported. She added that in other cases, even without clear precedents, the Attorney General has known how to write more decisive positions.