Pakistan, Oct. 2 -- Arab-Israeli politician Sami Abu Shehadeh has withdrawn from Israel's October 27 parliamentary election. His decision followed indications from the Supreme Court that a majority of judges supported his disqualification. The court was hearing his appeal against a decision by Israel's Central Elections Committee. The committee had voted to bar him from contesting the election. Abu Shehadeh leads the Balad party and previously served in the Knesset.

Read More: Iran slams normalisation with Israel as 'reactionary'

The Central Elections Committee approved his disqualification following a petition from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The petition cited comments Abu Shehadeh made about Hamas's October 7, 2023 at...