Supreme Court President Urges Balad Chairman to Withdraw from Knesset Race

The President of the Supreme Court, Yitzhak Amit, recommended on Thursday that Sami Abu Shehadeh, chairman of the Balad party, withdraw his candidacy from the 26th Knesset elections. This suggestion came during a High Court of Justice hearing concerning the disqualification of Abu Shehadeh, following a decision by the Central Elections Committee. Amit, speaking for the nine-judge panel, stated that the "foreseeable outcome is the approval of the disqualification" and that there is consensus among the justices regarding the severity of Abu Shehadeh's past statements. He noted that Abu Shehadeh's writings were "painful, infuriating, and disgusting."

Amit proposed that Abu Shehadeh consider withdrawing to avoid a reasoned ruling on his disqualification, asking for his response by the end of the court day. Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who filed the petition against Abu Shehadeh, vehemently opposed the court's suggestion, calling it "too merciful" and harmful to Israeli democracy. Ben-Gvir insisted on a judicial ruling, contrasting the current situation with past disqualifications of right-wing figures, and argued that Abu Shehadeh's statements support terrorism and murder.

The hearing also addressed the disqualification of MK Ofer Cassif. The central issue regarding Abu Shehadeh is an article he published on October 8, 2023, describing the October 7th attacks as a "historically important event militarily, politically, and strategically." The Attorney General and State Prosecutor argued this demonstrated support for Hamas's armed struggle. Justice Alex Stein commented that the article seemed to "encourage terror of the October 7th kind."

Abu Shehadeh's attorney, Hassan Jabareen, argued that the statements should be viewed in context, asserting that his client does not support Hamas, condemns the October 7th attack, and opposes harming civilians. Jabareen added that Abu Shehadeh himself acknowledged the article's poor timing and phrasing.

The Central Elections Committee had previously disqualified Abu Shehadeh, with its chairman, Justice Noam Sohlberg, also voting in favor. The committee also disqualified MK Ofer Cassif and considered disqualifying the Ra'am and Joint List parties.