Sami Abu Shehadeh Withdraws Candidacy After Supreme Court Hearing
Published
Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew his candidacy for the 26th Knesset late Thursday after a Supreme Court hearing on his disqualification, having been placed third on the Joint List slate. During the nine-justice hearing, court president Yitzhak Amit indicated that a majority favored upholding the Central Elections Committee's decision to bar him. The withdrawal means the court will not issue a ruling on his personal candidacy. Balad said he would continue leading the party. The disqualification bid concerned an October 8, 2023 article alleged to express support for armed struggle against Israel.