Balad leader blasts ‘racist’ exclusion of Arab parties in Israel

Sami Abu Shehadeh, leader of the Balad party, condemned Israel’s main political leaders for refusing to form a coalition with Arab parties despite their record election showing. With 85 percent of votes counted, Arab parties are on course for 19 seats, while Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc has at least 53 and Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc 48—both short of the 61 needed to govern. Abu Shehadeh said Palestinian citizens of Israel, about a fifth of the population, are being treated as illegitimate partners. His candidacy was disqualified at the request of Itamar Ben-Gvir, who accused him of supporting the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack; Abu Shehadeh denied supporting armed struggle and said he intended to call for a political process.