Arab Parties Denounce Election Committee Disqualifications
The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash) and the Communist Party issued a joint statement on Wednesday condemning the Central Elections Committee's approval of disqualification requests against several Arab political entities and figures. The committee's decision targeted the Joint List, its candidate Sami Abu Shehadeh, and Hadash MK Dr. Ofer Cassif, alongside the United Arab List.
The statement decried the committee's "wholesale" approval of what it termed "fascist right-wing" requests to disqualify lists representing Arab citizens and democratic Jewish forces. The parties argued that the committee, composed of Knesset faction representatives, should not have the authority to pursue voices opposing the occupation, racism, and Jewish supremacy.
They expressed pride in the Joint List and their integral role within it, asserting that the attempts to disqualify them stem from the "fascist right-wing's" desire to suppress Arab voter turnout and democratic forces in a bid to cling to power. The statement criticized the opposition parties for failing this "moral test" and proving incapable of offering a genuine alternative to Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The parties specifically lauded MK Ofer Cassif for his courage in facing previous disqualification attempts and for his vocal stance against Israeli actions and the occupation. They also affirmed their full support for Sami Abu Shehadeh, rejecting any legitimacy for his disqualification and deeming the vote by Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg in favor of Abu Shehadeh's disqualification a dangerous message to the Supreme Court.
The statement further criticized the Democratic Party for voting with MK Itamar Ben-Gvir's proposal to disqualify Abu Shehadeh, aligning with Zionist parties from both the coalition and opposition who largely abstained from defending the United Arab List's right to run. The Democratic Front and Communist Party called for a broad protest campaign against political persecution, urging increased Arab voter turnout to support the Joint List as the most persistent force against the right-wing government. Despite reservations about the Zionist opposition, they affirmed their commitment to working to oust the "fascist right-wing government" for a "less bad and dangerous" alternative.
