Ben Gvir Demands Arab MK's Candidacy Be Canceled

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released a video from his car stating he was on his way to "cancel the candidacy of Sami Abu Shehadeh," the head of the National Democratic Assembly and former Knesset member. This action coincides with the start of the Central Elections Committee hearings for the 26th Knesset, which began reviewing requests to disqualify lists and candidates on Sunday morning.

In the first session, the committee voted to disqualify the candidacy of MK Ofer Cassif, representing the Hadash party. The vote was 19 in favor of disqualification, with 5 against and 2 abstentions.

Ben-Gvir's call to disqualify Abu Shehadeh is part of a broader effort by right-wing politicians to remove Arab candidates and parties deemed disloyal to the state from electoral contention. The National Democratic Assembly is a predominantly Arab party that advocates for a binational state in Israel and the Palestinian territories.