Israeli Parties Back Banning Arab Lawmaker Over Post-Oct 7 Remarks

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and his "Yashar!" party have joined calls to disqualify Sami Abu Shehadeh, leader of the Arab party BALAD, from running in the upcoming Knesset elections. This follows a similar demand by Itamar Ben-Gvir's "Otzma Yehudit" party and the National Security Minister, who submitted a petition to the Central Elections Committee. The basis for the disqualification request is a statement made by Abu Shehadeh on October 8, 2023, the day after Hamas's attack on Israel. In his statement, Abu Shehadeh described the events as a "significant historical event from a military, political, and strategic perspective," adding that if "small and besieged Gaza" could achieve such a result, others could do so "more effectively and easily." "Yashar!" stated that these words, written when hundreds of Israelis were already reported killed and abducted to Gaza, cannot be erased by a clarifying post nearly three years later, asserting that Abu Shehadeh violated the law.

The "National Unity" party also announced that its representatives on the Central Elections Committee would vote to disqualify Abu Shehadeh and MK Ofer Kassif, citing their support for terrorism and rejection of Israel as a Jewish state. The government's legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, and State Attorney Amit Aisman have also weighed in, indicating that the evidence presented appears to show Abu Shehadeh expressed support for armed struggle by a terrorist organization against Israel. The legal advisor stated the committee should consider the disqualification requests and hear Abu Shehadeh's defense.

Abu Shehadeh has requested the committee postpone the hearing due to health issues. In a defiant response, he stated he is recovering and intends to continue his fight for democracy, freedom, and equality against "racists and those convicted of incitement to terror." He criticized the "change bloc" for attempting to be a "pale copy of the right" and argued that defenders of democracy should not support disqualifying the Arab minority's voice. He concluded by emphasizing his commitment to non-violent struggle against "warmongers" for a better future.