Arab Israeli Lawmaker Refuses to Withdraw Knesset Candidacy After Disqualification

Sami Abu Shehadeh, head of the National Democratic Assembly party, has declared he will not withdraw his candidacy for the Knesset elections, despite a decision by the Central Elections Committee to disqualify him. Abu Shehadeh stated his intention to continue the legal and political battle to its conclusion, viewing withdrawal as an acceptance of injustice and a blow to the Arab community's right to representation.

The Central Elections Committee voted on September 23 to disqualify Abu Shehadeh by a vote of 31 to 4. The disqualification was primarily based on an article he published on October 8, 2023. The decision now moves to the Supreme Court for further review.

Abu Shehadeh asserted that he sees no logical reason to withdraw, even if the court rules against him, noting that other disqualified candidates face the same judicial process. He emphasized that his decision is not solely personal but concerns the right of the Arab community to nominate candidates and choose their representatives, rejecting the notion that figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir should dictate the limits of Arab political action.

He explained that the decision was made after internal party discussions, with the National Democratic Assembly deciding to pursue the legal challenge. Abu Shehadeh believes the issue transcends his individual case, potentially setting a legal precedent that could affect other Arab candidates and parties.

Regarding the article that led to his disqualification, Abu Shehadeh acknowledged that some of his statements were not well-chosen and that he would have phrased them differently had he known the full details of the October 7 events at the time. However, he maintained that admitting a mistake in an article does not equate to committing a crime or endorsing violence, arguing for a legal rather than political assessment of the matter.

His legal representation, the Adalah Center, stated that the claim of Abu Shehadeh supporting violence for political aims contradicts his public record and statements made after October 7. Abu Shehadeh is prepared to defend his position in court, stressing that the dispute over his article should not impede his right to run.

Abu Shehadeh views the case as broader than himself or his party, relating to the fundamental right of Arab citizens to run for office and select their leadership. The National Democratic Assembly will consult with its legal representatives on next steps, but withdrawal is not currently an option. The Supreme Court is expected to hear appeals concerning disqualifications, including Abu Shehadeh's, Ofer Cassif's, and those of joint and unified lists, before the October 27 elections.