Balad Party Chairman Withdraws Knesset Candidacy Ahead of Supreme Court Ruling
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Balad party chairman Sami Abu Shahadeh withdrew his Knesset candidacy.
- The withdrawal avoids a Supreme Court ruling on his disqualification.
- The disqualification petition cited his post-October 7th article.
- The Supreme Court urged his withdrawal to avoid setting a precedent.
- He was previously disqualified by the Central Elections Committee.
Sami Abu Shahadeh, chairman of the Balad party, officially informed Israel's Supreme Court on Friday that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the 26th Knesset. This decision preempts a ruling on a petition seeking to disqualify him from running, which was based on an article he published after the October 7th events. The Attorney General had supported the petition, recommending his disqualification.
Abu Shahadeh's withdrawal came after Supreme Court justices urged him to step aside, as a majority appeared to favor his disqualification. The judges reportedly wished to avoid setting a precedent with a ruling on the matter. Historically, the Supreme Court has tended to disqualify candidates only for repeated offenses, rather than isolated statements, however problematic.
The Central Elections Committee had previously voted on September 23rd to disqualify Abu Shahadeh on two grounds: denying Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state, and supporting the armed struggle of an enemy state or terror organization against Israel.
During the committee's discussion, the chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, stated he would vote on the ground of supporting armed struggle, a move he noted was rare. He explained that while he usually maintains neutrality, Abu Shahadeh's statements in response to the allegations were insufficient to allay concerns, prompting his decision to vote on this specific ground.
Abu Shahadeh informed the Supreme Court that he would also notify the Central Elections Committee to complete the necessary procedural steps.
Read the original at Israel HayomMentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
