Adalah’s written responses to the CEC included an expert opinion by Professor Sammy Smooha, who argued that the disqualification of an Arab candidate is “tantamount to disqualifying the party itself”, and that the party is liable to call on Arab citizens “to boycott the elections”, and that many could heed that call. Adalah’s responses also included testimonies by MKs Dr. Ahmad Tibi, Sheikh Ibrahim Sarsur, Dr. Jamal Zahalka, and Haneen Zoabi. Each of them explained the nature of their parliamentary activities and their political positions, countering right-wing attempts to misrepresent and incite against them.
Among the reactions of the media to MK Zoabi’s disqualification is an editorial published in Haaretz (English) that describes the CEC’s decision as “arbitrary and unacceptable”.
Criminal indictments against MK Muhammad Barakeh
Adalah also represented MK Muhammad Barakeh on criminal indictments filed against him for taking part in demonstrations. Adalah sees MK Barakeh’s indictment as part a mounting campaign to delegitimize the political activities of Arab citizens of Israel by persecuting their elected representatives.
