Knesset Member Ofer Cassif's Candidacy Disqualified by Elections Committee

Knesset Member Ofer Cassif, representing the Joint List, reacted strongly to the Central Elections Committee's decision to disqualify his candidacy, calling it a "political decision par excellence, predetermined and without legal basis." Cassif asserted that "fascists and their assistants will not succeed in silencing our voice! I will continue to fight for the representation of my constituents, and for the values of peace, equality, and true Jewish-Arab partnership, in the next Knesset as well."

In his response, Cassif argued that the disqualification requests aim not only to exclude Arab representatives but also to silence any voice in the Knesset advocating for an alternative to war and revenge. He stated this prevents millions of citizens from exercising their right to choose representatives and delegitimizes the Arab community and Jewish-Arab partnership. Cassif maintained that his consistent opposition to violence and his fight for human rights, justice, and peace serve the public interest more than those who signed the "disgraceful" disqualification requests.

Cassif's legal representatives, Hassan Jabareen and Ariel Reis of the Adalah Legal Center, argued that the disqualification lacks legal foundation. They specifically noted that Cassif's sharp criticism of the military and government regarding alleged war crimes in recent years, and his support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel, do not constitute grounds for disqualification.