Arab Party Chief Withdraws Knesset Candidacy After Court Signals Ban

By Einav Halabi, Yuval Karni

What happened

Balad party chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew his Knesset candidacy after the Supreme Court indicated a majority of justices supported his disqualification due to statements he made about the October 7th attack. The party cited political responsibility and broader implications for Arab political participation in Israel.

• 01Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew from the Knesset race after the Supreme Court signaled a majority supported his disqualification.
• 02The disqualification centered on Abu Shehadeh's description of the October 7th attack as a significant historic event.
• 03Abu Shehadeh denied supporting terrorism, highlighting his work on human rights and disability legislation.
• 04His party stated the withdrawal was a political responsibility, not an end to his activism.
• 05Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the court for allowing withdrawal without a formal ruling.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

Full coverage · 9 newsrooms

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YnetnewsCenter · English23 minutes ago

Arab Party Chief Withdraws Knesset Candidacy After Court Signals Ban

Kan NewsCenter · Hebrew2 hours ago

Balad Party Decides Abu Shehadeh Will Withdraw from Knesset Race

Arab48Arab press · Arabic2 hours ago

Arab Party Head Withdraws Candidacy After Court Signals Disqualification

HamalCenter · Hebrew2 hours ago

Knesset Member Sami Abu Shahadeh Withdraws from Election Race

0404Right · Hebrew2 hours ago

Balad Party Decides Chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh Will Not Run in Elections

Show 5 more reports

Al-ShamsArab Israeli Politician Sami Abu Shehadeh Withdraws Knesset CandidacyAlarabArab Party Head Withdraws Knesset Candidacy Amid Disqualification BidAlarabArab Party Head Withdraws Knesset Candidacy After Court Signals DisqualificationBehadrei HaredimKnesset Member Sami Abu Shehadeh Withdraws from Election RacePanetArab Party Leader Withdraws Candidacy After Court Signals Disqualification

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