Supreme Court Clears Cassif, Ra'am and Joint List for Knesset Elections
The Supreme Court ruled that Ra'am, the Joint List, and MK Ofer Cassif can run in the Knesset elections, rejecting disqualification petitions. Balad Chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew from the race.
The Supreme Court overturned the Central Election Commission's decision on Friday, ruling that Ra'am, the Joint List, and MK Ofer Cassif are eligible to run in the upcoming Knesset elections. The court also rejected petitions to disqualify Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionism, and The Democrats.
Supreme Court Ruling on Ofer Cassif and Arab Parties
A majority of Supreme Court justices concluded that Cassif's controversial statements and actions did not reach the high threshold of critical evidentiary mass required to legally disqualify a candidate for supporting armed struggle against the state. Meanwhile, minority justices argued his remarks directly met disqualification criteria. The court unanimously ruled that neither Ra'am nor the Joint List met the legal criteria for disqualification under Basic Law: The Knesset.
Balad Chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh Withdraws
During the proceedings, Supreme Court President urged Balad Chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh to reconsider his candidacy. Following the recommendation, Abu Shehadeh announced his withdrawal from the parliamentary race to the Central Election Commission and the court.
"The court found that the submitted materials do not meet the strict legal standards established by jurisprudence for disqualifying lists or candidates."
All petitions seeking to bar right-wing and center-left factions, including Otzma Yehudit and The Democrats, were dismissed by the bench, ensuring their participation in the 26th Knesset elections.
