Ben Gvir Demands Criminal Probe Against Arab Leader After Election Ban Bid

Following its attempt to disqualify Arab Israeli lawmaker Sami Abu Shehadeh from running in elections, the Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, is now demanding a criminal investigation against him. The party claims that in addition to the election ban proceedings, Abu Shehadeh's statements warrant criminal scrutiny.

Ben Gvir stated that Otzma Yehudit provided the evidence for the disqualification request, which even the Attorney General and State Prosecutor supported. He asserted that "one who praises the Hamas massacre and identifies with terrorists should not only be disqualified, he should be investigated and stand trial."

Abu Shehadeh vehemently responded to the call for an investigation, accusing Ben Gvir and his ideology of being a "bottomless pit." He criticized the Attorney General for allegedly falling into Ben Gvir's "trap," which he believes emboldens "rampant Kahanism." Abu Shehadeh suggested that Ben Gvir is preempting a Supreme Court decision on the election ban, viewing the investigation demand as another step against him.

"The ball is in the hands of the Supreme Court, which is supposed to decide what kind of state and what kind of society we want here," Abu Shehadeh said, concluding that "Kahanism will burn every good part."