Israel committee bars Arab parties from election

Israel's Central Elections Committee voted 18-5 to disqualify the Arab-majority Joint List and Ra'am from October's parliamentary election, also barring candidates Ofer Cassif and Sami Abu Shehadeh. The Supreme Court is expected to review the decisions next week and has overturned similar attempts before. Critics accuse the committee of double standards, as far-right parties facing international sanctions remain eligible.