First publication: Ben Gvir and Gotliv will lead the battle to disqualify Shahada

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and MK Tali Gotliv will personally represent Otzma Yehudit in the hearings to disqualify the Ra'am party and Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahada. At the center of the request: an article published by Shahada on October 8, 2023, and allegations of support for terrorism. Ra'am and Abu Shahada reject the accusations. The decision will be made by the Central Elections Committee headed by Justice Solberg, with an expected appeal to the High Court of Justice.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and MK Tali Gotliv will personally represent the Otzma Yehudit party in the dramatic hearings before the Central Elections Committee, as part of requests to disqualify the Ra'am party and Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahada. Otzma Yehudit filed two separate disqualification requests: one against Ra'am, and the other against Abu Shahada personally, with Ben Gvir himself signed as the petitioner. At the heart of the request against Abu Shahada is an article he published on October 8, 2023, a day after the Hamas attack, which the party claims constitutes evidence of support for armed struggle by a terrorist organization against Israel. He is also attributed with support for security prisoners and activity to negate the Jewish character of the state. On the other hand, Ra'am and Abu Shahada reject the claims and attribute them to political motives. Ra'am argues that the petitions do not present any real evidence of support for armed struggle. Abu Shahada emphasized that he condemned harm to innocents after October 7 and called for a political settlement. The hearings will take place in the committee hall headed by Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg. The committee's decision is expected to be only the opening shot, with any decision to be reviewed by the High Court of Justice by election day.