Election Committee disqualifies MK Ofer Cassif from October's Knesset race

Israel's Central Elections Committee, headed by Noam Sohlberg, ruled that Ofer Cassif of the Joint List will not be able to run for the 26th Knesset. Nineteen committee members voted in favor of his disqualification, five voted against, and two abstained, on the grounds of "support for an armed struggle by an enemy state or terrorist organization against the State of Israel."

The decision now moves to the High Court of Justice for final review.

Cassif said in a statement that framing his opposition to government policy as "support for the enemy, a breach of loyalty, and an act of harm against the state" was "a gross distortion of reality and a complete perversion of the democratic spirit." He said opposing "crimes committed in the state's name does not run counter to its interests, nor does it strengthen its enemies," adding that his public duty is "to ensure that our sons and daughters live in justice and peace."

The disqualification request against Cassif was submitted by the Likud party and was the first of several petitions heard by the committee over two days. Other petitions included Otzma Yehudit's request to disqualify Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, a joint petition by Otzma Yehudit, Likud and the Choose Life Forum seeking to disqualify Ra'am, and a Likud and Orot Hashachar petition to disqualify the Joint List and Balad.