Otzma Yehudit Demands Criminal Probe Against Arab Lawmaker Following Disqualification

The Otzma Yehudit party has formally requested the Attorney General and the State Prosecutor to launch a criminal investigation into Sami Abu Shehadeh, the chairman of the Balad party, on suspicion of incitement to terrorism and violence, and identifying with a terror organization. This move comes after the Attorney General and State Prosecutor recommended to the Supreme Court that Abu Shehadeh's disqualification from running for the Knesset be upheld.

In their recommendation to the court, the Attorney General and State Prosecutor cited an article Abu Shehadeh published on October 8, 2023, the day after the Hamas attack, stating it expressed support for Hamas's armed struggle against Israel and fell within the core reasons for disqualification. Otzma Yehudit is now challenging the legal authorities, questioning if the same materials that justify disqualification from parliament do not also warrant a criminal investigation for supporting terrorism.

The request, submitted by attorney Ze'ev Woolf on behalf of Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Otzma Yehudit party, argues that the evidence gathered for the disqualification bid establishes suspicion of offenses under the Counter-Terrorism Law and incitement to violence. The central piece of evidence is Abu Shehadeh's October 8th article, where he referred to the Hamas attack as "Al-Aqsa Flood" and an "important historical event militarily, politically, and strategically."

Additional materials cited include an October 9th interview where Abu Shehadeh called Gaza's surprise against Israel "a great thing" and expressed pride in their stand against Israel. Otzma Yehudit also presented earlier statements and wartime comments, along with materials allegedly discovered after the election committee's hearing.

The party is demanding an "urgent investigation" and a review of further statements. While the legal grounds for disqualifying a candidate and those for criminal prosecution differ, Otzma Yehudit seeks to determine if the facts supporting the disqualification also justify initiating a criminal probe. Abu Shehadeh has previously criticized the Attorney General's stance, calling it an attempt to create a non-existent disqualification reason.