Arab Political Party Vows to Fight Candidate Disqualification

The National Democratic Assembly (Balad) party announced it will continue to appeal the disqualification of its candidate, Sami Abu Shehadeh, from running in elections. The Central Elections Committee had previously upheld the disqualification of Abu Shehadeh, along with the Joint List, the Unified List, and Ofer Cassif, with final decisions pending review by the Supreme Court.

Balad contends that the disqualification is not merely about Abu Shehadeh but represents a broader effort to delegitimize Arab political representation. The party views these decisions against Abu Shehadeh, the Joint List, the Unified List, and Cassif as part of a wider trend targeting Arab political participation, occurring amidst what it describes as a racist political climate and a widespread incitement campaign. Balad emphasized that Abu Shehadeh has a long history of political and civil activism, has consistently advocated for peaceful political action, rejected violence, and affirmed his commitment to justice and equality for both Arabs and Jews.

The party also highlighted Abu Shehadeh's stances against the war in Gaza, his calls for ending the occupation and achieving a just and comprehensive peace, and his advocacy for a democratic alternative based on citizenship and equality. Balad criticized the Democratic Party for its stance on Abu Shehadeh's disqualification, arguing that defending democracy requires protecting the political rights of those who disagree with the majority, not just opposing the right-wing.

Balad specifically criticized Itamar Ben-Gvir, whom it accused of leading the campaign to disqualify Abu Shehadeh, noting Ben-Gvir's past criminal convictions, including incitement to racism and support for a terrorist organization. "We will not accept Ben-Gvir appointing himself judge over the legitimacy of our community's representatives," the party stated.

The party called on the Arab public, political and democratic forces, and human rights institutions, both domestically and internationally, to defend the right of Abu Shehadeh, Cassif, the Joint List, and the Unified List to run, choose, and be politically represented. Balad affirmed its commitment to continue working with its partners in the Joint List to ensure Arab representation, citing a three-decade history of facing repeated attempts to disqualify the party and target its leadership and political project.

Concluding its statement, Balad declared that a political project supported by tens of thousands cannot be erased by a committee decision or an incitement campaign. The party reiterated its determination to pursue its legal and political battle over Abu Shehadeh's disqualification, awaiting the final judicial outcome.