The Central Elections Committee heard arguments Wednesday on a petition to disqualify Sami Abu Shehadeh from running for Knesset. The petition, filed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, alleges that Abu Shehadeh supported the October 7 massacre.
Abu Shehadeh was given the opportunity to defend himself before the committee via Zoom. "I don't believe I should have to explain myself," he began. "In all my years in politics, I have never supported violence or any armed struggle."
When pressed to clarify why he had described the October 7 terror attack as a "historic event," Abu Shehadeh backtracked. "I really didn't know the extent of the atrocities. I shouldn't have written that article, and certainly not on October 7. I understand today that the article as it was worded raises difficult questions."
He continued: "I want to make clear: I have never supported and do not support Hamas's armed struggle against the State of Israel. I condemn the October 7 attack, and I condemn the acts of murder and atrocities that were carried out."
