⚖️ Attorney General urges court to uphold Abu Shehadeh’s disqualification: The Attorney General and State Attorney told the Supreme Court that Sami Abu Shehadeh should remain disqualified from running for the Knesset over his support for armed struggle against Israel.
They said his October 8, 2023 article, published a day after the October 7 terrorist attack began and while it was still ongoing, expressed support for Hamas’s armed struggle against Israel under extreme circumstances and “at a time of unparalleled gravity.” They argued that his conduct falls squarely within the disqualification grounds established in Basic Law: The Knesset.
They described his subsequent explanations concerning the article, additional evidence and his overall conduct as “disingenuous and incomplete,” saying they failed to address the central allegations. Otzma Yehudit has also asked the Supreme Court to allow it to submit additional evidence against Abu Shehadeh ahead of Thursday’s hearing.
Commentator Amit Segal said Abu Shehadeh and his Balad colleagues were shocked by the controversy surrounding the article. He blamed Israeli judges, legal advisers, politicians and journalists for allowing people he described as supporters of terrorism into the Knesset and normalizing their presence.
Segal argued that this had emboldened Abu Shehadeh to publish what Segal characterized as support for the October 7 massacre while Israel faced an existential threat. He also questioned why the Attorney General had not opened an investigation if the article constituted support for terrorism.
🗳️ Change Bloc establishes three joint working teams: Following a meeting of party leaders on Saturday night, the Change Bloc parties announced three teams to strengthen cooperation, coordinate preparations for an election victory and form a Zionist, statesmanlike government.
Team A will work to increase voter turnout, prepare for Election Day and safeguard the integrity of the elections.
Team B will formulate the next government’s guiding principles and an action plan for its first 100 days. Its agenda includes equality in sharing the burden and universal conscription, establishing a state commission of inquiry, limiting the prime minister’s term in office and advancing a constitution for Israel.
Team C will coordinate media activity and efforts to combat disinformation and smear campaigns.
⚖️ Golan petitions for security protection: Yair Golan petitioned the High Court of Justice, demanding that Zini provide him with security protection.
⛽ Reported record in fuel prices: Fuel prices will rise by 52 agorot at midnight between Wednesday and Thursday.
🔁 Know someone who would appreciate these updates? Please pass this along.
🌐 Full updates & discussion: https://www.israelrealtime.com