Central Elections Committee bars Ofer Cassif from Knesset race

Israel's Central Elections Committee voted 19-5 to disqualify MK Ofer Cassif of the Arab Joint List from running in the upcoming October 26 elections for the 26th Knesset. The decision followed a petition alleging that Cassif supports armed struggle against Israel and rejects its existence as a Jewish and democratic state. Cassif, the only Jewish candidate on the Joint List slate, denied the allegations, stating, "Opposition to crimes committed in the name of the state does not go against its interests and does not strengthen its enemies." Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara opposed the disqualification, citing insufficient legal grounds. The committee's decision will now be reviewed by the High Court of Justice.