Knesset Member Tibi Criticizes Supreme Court Decision to Disqualify Arab Candidate

Member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi stated that the Supreme Court's decision to disqualify Arab candidate Sami Abu Shehadeh narrows the space for Arab political action. Tibi, speaking after a Supreme Court hearing on the disqualification, noted that Court President Yitzhak Amit indicated a majority favored the disqualification, aligning with the Central Elections Committee's recommendation. Tibi described the court's atmosphere as succumbing to a "fascist right-wing mood," asserting that the court responded to a demand by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to disqualify Abu Shehadeh, head of the National Union party and third candidate on the Joint List. Tibi suggested the decision could set a precedent for disqualifying other Arab candidates, emphasizing that the final stance on future steps rests with the National Union party's political bureau and Abu Shehadeh. He warned that the court's adoption of the committee's recommendation, which he called "purely political," makes the court complicit in restricting Arab political activity. Tibi linked this to a shift in the political climate post-October 7, characterizing the Israeli right as having become "fascist" and centrist and left-wing parties as opportunistic, citing the Democratic party's support for the disqualification. Regarding upcoming elections, Tibi mentioned discussions about potential disruptions to voting and urged vigilance and increased Arab voter turnout, believing the perceived injustice of the disqualification might boost participation. He also clarified that he was in court with fellow Knesset members Yousef Jabareen and Ofer Cassif while their own disqualification requests and those of the Joint List were still under discussion.