Sami Abu Shahada decided to withdraw from the Knesset race

Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahada announced his withdrawal from the Knesset race, following a recommendation by Supreme Court justices during a hearing on his case. The move came after the publication of an article supporting Hamas and a disqualification request by Otzma Yehudit. The justices recommended he withdraw to avoid a ruling that would disqualify him, a decision that drew criticism from the right.

Balad party chairman Sami Abu Shahada announced his withdrawal from the Knesset race, after Supreme Court justices recommended he do so during a hearing held today (Thursday). The recommendation was made in the context of a petition filed by the Otzma Yehudit party, which sought to disqualify Abu Shahada and his party, the Joint List, for openly supporting terrorism after the October 7 massacre. Election Committee Chairman Justice Solberg accepted the request and disqualified their candidacy, along with that of the Ra'am party, and referred the decision to the High Court of Justice. During the hearing, the justices offered Abu Shahada the option to voluntarily withdraw to avoid a ruling that would disqualify him. The decision drew sharp criticism from the right, which argued that the justices were evading responsibility and protecting a Knesset member who supports terrorism. The article presents the move as a gift from Abu Shahada to the justices, since instead of having to vote for or against his candidacy, they keep their opinions to themselves.