Balad party leader Sami Abu Shehadeh has formally withdrawn from the October 27 Knesset election, the party said in a statement. The announcement means Balad will not field candidates in the upcoming national vote.
Balad is an Arab-Israeli political party that has participated in past parliamentary contests representing Palestinian citizens of Israel. Abu Shehadeh, who led the party into the last Knesset, had been expected to play a role in this election cycle before the withdrawal.
The decision comes as parties across Israel prepare final lists and campaign for the ballot scheduled later this month. Abu Shehadeh's exit narrows the field of parties competing and may affect political calculations among Arab voters and alliances in the run-up to the election.
With the October 27 vote approaching, campaign activity and candidate decisions are likely to shape the composition of the next Knesset. Parties and voters will now weigh the implications of Balad's absence as they finalize election strategies and choices.