Balad Party Leader Sami Abu Shehadeh Addresses Health and Political Attacks

Sami Abu Shehadeh, chairman of the Balad party, has provided an update on his health status amidst calls from various political factions, including some in the opposition, to disqualify him from running for the Knesset. Abu Shehadeh thanked those expressing concern for his well-being and stated, "I wish to reassure both those who wish me well and the Kahanists alike: I am recovering and intend to continue the struggle for substantive democracy, freedom, and equality with all my might. No one convicted of inciting terrorism, or any other racist, will move me from the path I walk for a better reality."

Abu Shehadeh also directed criticism towards leaders in the center-left bloc who have supported his disqualification. "Unfortunately, some leaders of the 'opposition' have decided to cooperate with the flawed attempt to silence the Arab voice at the ballot box, by removing me as a public representative from the Knesset," he stated. He added, "It is important for me to tell you: the attempt to be a faded imitation of the right has not helped you before and will not help you now. Those who claim to fight for democracy cannot support the disqualification of the Arab minority's voice."