Balad chairman requested to postpone the hearing on his disqualification – this is the bizarre reason

Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahadeh requested to postpone the hearing regarding his disqualification from running for the 26th Knesset, claiming he was injured this morning. Otzma Yehudit claims he is "shaking" and trying to stall for time. Minister Ben Gvir submitted a formal request to disqualify him based on his statements after October 7.

Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahadeh requested to postpone the hearing regarding his disqualification from running for the 26th Knesset, claiming he was "injured" this morning. Otzma Yehudit dismissed the explanation in a sharp attack: "Minister Ben Gvir believes Abu Shahadeh is shaking and therefore seeks to postpone the hearing. If necessary, we will request to investigate him and hold the proceedings, even at the hospital." The attempt to stall for time comes against the backdrop of a formal request submitted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to the Central Elections Committee to disqualify him entirely. The request is based on Section 7A of Basic Law: The Knesset, and centers on an article published by Abu Shahadeh on October 8, 2023, a day after the October 7 massacre, in which he called the terrorist attack "an important historical event from a military, political, and strategic perspective" and praised the Hamas terrorists. Ben Gvir stated: "Until today, the Supreme Court has approved one after another all supporters of terrorism. The time has come for a systemic and conceptual change."