Far-Right Activist Confronts Arab Lawmaker Over Disqualification Bid

The Central Elections Committee convened Wednesday to discuss disqualification requests against candidates and lists running for the Knesset. Among the key issues was a request to disqualify Member of Knesset Sami Abu Shehadeh, chairman of the Balad party. The Attorney General's office stated that the request to disqualify Abu Shehadeh should be "seriously considered" and that there is "a basis for disqualification." Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg, a Supreme Court Justice, voted in favor of disqualification. The final decision is expected to be made by the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, right-wing activist Mordechai David encountered Abu Shehadeh in the streets of Jaffa. David confronted the MK on camera, shouting, "Sami Abu Shehadeh is running away here in Jaffa. You are blocked, you are blocked in memory of bin Laden." David later posted a video of the encounter on social media platform X, writing that Abu Shehadeh "swallows his tongue" when he meets him in Jaffa, but is a "hero in studios."

The Central Elections Committee also discussed other candidates. Under the chairmanship of Justice Noam Sohlberg, the committee disqualified MK Ofer Cassif of the Hadash party, as well as the Ra'am party and the Joint List.