Communist Party and Hadash Challenge Disqualification Rulings

The Communist Party and the Hadash party announced on Tuesday they are appealing decisions by the Central Elections Committee to disqualify the Joint List, Sami Abu Shehadeh, and Ofer Cassif from running in the upcoming elections. In a joint statement, the parties labeled the disqualifications as "political, racist, and fascist," asserting they aim to suppress Arab citizens' right to political representation and silence voices opposing war, racism, and Jewish supremacy. They emphasized their legitimacy derives from voters and their causes, not the elections committee, and rejected the notion of making candidacy conditional on aligning with right-wing political views.

The parties declared their challenge would extend beyond the legal arena to encompass broad political and public activism to defend political participation and parliamentary representation. They specifically highlighted the case of Sami Abu Shehadeh, describing his disqualification as part of an "organized incitement campaign" and reaffirming their support for his "moral and humanitarian stances" against violence and for peace. They also expressed pride in MK Dr. Ofer Cassif's positions against war and occupation, and in defense of Palestinian rights and Arab-Jewish partnership, stating these should not be grounds for political exclusion.

The Central Elections Committee disqualified the Joint List, Abu Shehadeh, and Cassif on September 23, with final decisions pending review by the Supreme Court. The Communist Party and Hadash view the Supreme Court appeal as a key battleground, vowing to pursue legal avenues while maintaining political and public engagement. They stated the court faces a test of protecting the right to vote and run for office based on established criteria.

The parties urged their supporters and democratic Jewish forces to join protests against the disqualifications and rally behind the Joint List and its candidates ahead of the October 27 elections. They concluded by reiterating their refusal to back down, calling for the objections to be channeled into organized political action, and reaffirming their commitment to representation, participation, freedom, equality, justice, and peace.