Israeli Supreme Court Restores Arab Parties’ Election Eligibility

Event date: October 2, 2026. The ruling followed an October 1 hearing. Reuters published its report on October 2 at 13:28 UTC (8:28 a.m. Central); the Jerusalem Post and Adalah also published on October 2.

Israel’s Supreme Court unanimously overturned the Central Elections Committee’s exclusion of Ra’am and the Joint List. It also allowed lawmaker Ofer Cassif to run by a 7–2 vote. The majority found insufficient evidence under the stringent legal standards for electoral disqualification. Two dissenting judges supported excluding Cassif over alleged support for armed struggle.

In a related proceeding, Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew after judges indicated they would uphold his exclusion. His proceeding was dismissed without a formal Supreme Court disqualification ruling. The judges strongly condemned his remarks.

Allegation and response

Opponents accused Abu Shehadeh of supporting Hamas’s October 7 attack, citing an article calling it “an important historical event.” He denies supporting the attack. His lawyers at Adalah say the article advocated a political solution and contained no endorsement of violence. He acknowledged that publishing immediately after the attack was a mistake.

Adalah alleges unequal treatment of Palestinian and Jewish candidates. This is an allegation, not a court finding of discrimination.

Why it matters

The rulings determine minority parties’ access to the October 27 election and illustrate the legal limits on excluding candidates.

Procedural status: The court overturned the exclusions of Ra’am, the Joint List, and Cassif. Abu Shehadeh withdrew, and his proceeding was dismissed without a formal disqualification judgment.

Sources: Reuters reporting · Jerusalem Post ruling coverage · Adalah’s response as legal representative