Israel's Supreme Court Urges Balad Leader to Withdraw

Israel's Supreme Court has advised Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh to withdraw from the October 27 Knesset election or face disqualification. The court is hearing appeals against the Central Elections Committee's decision to bar the two main Arab lists, Ra'am and the Joint List, and candidates Abu Shehadeh and Ofer Cassif. If upheld, about 20 percent of Arab citizens could be left without representation.