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Israel’s Supreme Court has overturned the Central Elections Committee’s decision to disqualify Raʽam and the Joint List from running in elections, ruling that the committee’s grounds for disqualification did not meet legal standards established in previous rulings.

However, the court upheld the disqualification of Balad party chief Sami Abou Shahadeh, with judges Stein and Mintz finding in a minority opinion that his positions constituted “support for armed struggle against the State of Israel.” Abou Shahadeh had written an article on 8 October interpreted as backing the Hamas attack.

Following the court’s indication that a majority would likely uphold his disqualification, Abou Shahadeh withdrew his candidacy from the race, calling it “the most difficult decision of my political career.” Balad issued a statement questioning “serious questions regarding the boundaries of legitimate political discourse for Arab citizens.”

The ruling represents a significant reversal for the elections committee while simultaneously narrowing the field of Arab political representation through Shahadeh’s withdrawal.

Sources: Ynet, Times of Israel

Update 18:15: Israel’s Supreme Court unanimously overturns the elections committee’s ban on Arab political parties, ruling that Ra’am, the Joint List, and MK Ofer Cassif do not meet criteria for disqualification.