Israel's Election Committee Disqualifies Arab Lists, MKs Ahead of Vote

Israel's Central Elections Committee on Wednesday approved the disqualification of two Arab political lists, the United Arab List and the Common List, barring them from participating in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. The committee also voted to disqualify Sami Abu Shehadeh, head of the National Democratic Assembly, and MK Ofer Cassif of the Hadash party.

Both disqualified lists intend to appeal the decisions to the Supreme Court, which has the final say on such matters. The United Arab List called the committee's decision "political and rejected," asserting it is part of a continuous campaign to delegitimize the party and its political role. They reiterated their intention to challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court.

The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality and the Communist Party issued a joint statement criticizing the disqualifications, arguing that the committee's approval of the requests undermines democratic competition. They expressed their rejection of the disqualification of the Common List, Abu Shehadeh, and Cassif.

Earlier votes saw Cassif disqualified by a margin of 19-5, with two abstentions, while Abu Shehadeh was disqualified by a vote of 31-4. The decisions now move to the judicial phase, where the Supreme Court will review the appeals filed by the affected lists and candidates.