The Central Elections Committee disqualified Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from running in the 26th Knesset elections. In an unusual move, the committee's chairman, Justice Noam Solberg, also voted in favor of the disqualification. In most cases, the committee chair does not express a position. Thirty-one committee members, including Solberg, voted to disqualify Abu Shehadeh, while four voted against. The final decision will be transferred to the Supreme Court. Abu Shehadeh responded: "The improper attempt to silence me and remove me from the public arena will not change my path. I have never called for violence or terrorism, and I oppose armed struggle and am committed to a path of political and civil struggle for peace, justice and equality."