Yair Golan Backs Disqualification of Arab Lawmaker Over Post-Oct. 7 Remarks

Yair Golan, chairman of the Meretz party, announced Wednesday that his party's representatives on the Central Elections Committee would vote in favor of disqualifying Sami Abu Shahadeh, a Knesset member from the Balad party, from running in the upcoming elections. Golan explained his decision by stating that "true democratic partnership also requires red lines." He specifically cited Abu Shahadeh's statements made just one day after the October 7th Hamas attacks as "serious." Golan asserted that "anyone who wants Jewish-Arab partnership does not express themselves this way, period." He further clarified that "calling for or legitimizing armed struggle and harming civilians, whether Jewish or Arab, is a red line." Golan indicated that the Attorney General and State Attorney have also made this clear, and the final decision on whether Abu Shahadeh's words constitute grounds for disqualification will be properly discussed in the Supreme Court.

Golan emphasized Meretz's principle of applying the same rules to everyone, stating, "There are no concessions for Abu Shahadeh and no concessions for Ben-Gvir, both should be disqualified." He pledged that Meretz would fight "Kahanism and extreme Jewish nationalism with the same determination with which we oppose those who legitimize terror against Israelis." Golan concluded by reiterating his party's stance: "Jewish-Arab partnership, yes. Categorical disqualification, no. Terror, Kahanism, and extreme nationalism, no. The same red line for everyone."