High-profile case9/27/2026

Balad Will Not Withdraw Abu Shehadeh’s Candidacy Until the Supreme Court Rules

The Balad party has decided to continue the proceedings concerning the disqualification of its chairman, Sami Abu Shehadeh, and await a ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court. The Central Elections Committee had previously disqualified his candidacy in the Knesset elections.

Key facts

•Candidate: Sami Abu Shehadeh
•Party: Balad
•Initial decision: Central Elections Committee
•Next judicial instance: Supreme Court of Israel
•Publication date: September 27, 2026
•The case number and statutory provisions are not specified in the source

What Happened

Following the Central Elections Committee’s decision, the Joint List, and Balad in particular, considered the possibility of withdrawing Abu Shehadeh’s candidacy. Such a step, before the hearing scheduled for Thursday, would have made it possible to avoid a Supreme Court hearing on the disqualification and its possible approval by the justices.

The Party’s Decision

After two days of consultations, Balad decided not to withdraw its chairman’s candidacy. The party intends to continue the proceedings until the Supreme Court issues its ruling.

Why the Dispute Matters

Balad fears that the court’s approval of the disqualification could create a mechanism for disqualifying Arab candidates in the future. The discussions also took into account the potential public implications of voluntarily withdrawing the candidacy.

What Is Still Unknown

At the time of publication, the Supreme Court had not yet ruled. The source does not state the case number, the specific grounds for disqualification, the statutory provisions applied, or the exact date of the final judgment.

What this means for you

Until the Supreme Court rules, Balad will not voluntarily withdraw Abu Shehadeh’s candidacy. The outcome of the proceedings may have implications not only for his participation in the elections, but also for future proceedings to disqualify Knesset candidates; however, the source does not state what decision the court will make.

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