Balad Party

Qatar criticizes Israel democracy, promotes own advancing social rights during UN General Assembly

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the event "Realizing Social Rights and Renewing Democracy: From Doha and Chisinau to a New Democratic Compact for Europe" was held on Tuesday.

Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al Thani speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly at UN Headquarters on September 22, 2026 in New York City.
Ra'am party head MK Mansour Abbas leads a faction meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 12, 2026.

Central Elections Committee bars Arab Ra'am, Joint List parties from running in October elections

Head of the Balad party MK Sami Abu Shehadeh arrives to cast his vote a voting station, on November 1, 2022, for the Israeli general elections. November 1, 2022.

Election panel to weigh whether Balad leader Abu Shehadeh crossed legal line for Knesset run

Ra’am party chairman Mansour Abbas, together with party member Yoav Segalovich, arrives to submit the party list to the Central Elections Committee, Jerusalem, September 7, 2026; illustrative.

Ra’am, Joint List fight bids to bar them from Knesset election


Israel elections: Will Arab party split turn out more voters? - opinion

Many of Balad’s supporters, who had been undecided about whether to vote, have now woken up and proudly declare that they intend to participate and vote for their party. 

 MEMBERS OF Hadash-Ta’al register their list for the upcoming election, at the Knesset, earlier this month.

National Unity will not collaborate with Hadash-Ta'al - Gideon Sa'ar

On top of Sa'ar's ideological stance, National Unity also has a political incentive to block Hadash-Ta'al, as it means that Lapid will have very low chances of forming a government.

Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar heading to  cabinet meeting, June 26, 2022.

Why the splitting of the Joint List is so important to Netanyahu - opinion

A stable government is unlikely to emerge in the foreseeable future and a sixth round of elections cannot be ruled out.

 Opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to tesitfy before the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee, in Jerusalem, on July 21, 2022

The Joint Arab List split up alters the political landscape - analysis

Balad, which was one of three parties in the Joint Arab List broke away from the other two, making it less likely that they will pass the electoral threshold.

 Joint List final list, without Balad, as the parties broke apart, September 16, 2022.

Israel election: Will Hadash-Ta'al recommend Lapid or Gantz?

Yisrael Beytenu initiates procedure to block Balad's Abou Shahadeh from running in the Israeli elections.

MK Ayman Odeh, co-head of the Israeli-Arab Hadash-Ta'al party at a rally supporting the Supreme Court in Tel Aviv, May 25, 2019

Israel elections: Joint List to run again, will not sit in 'racist occupation government'

Chairman MK Aymen Odeh did not close the door on the possibility of endorsing Yair Lapid or Benny Gantz to form the next government.

 Joint List party chairman Ayman Odeh visits the home of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin, in the east Jerusalem Neighborhood of Beit Hanina, May 11, 2022

Shooting attack against civilian bus is "because of occupation", Balad chairman says

If the Joint List leaders don't publically support Balad's political program ahead of the Israeli elections, Balad will leave, said leader MK Sami Abou Shahadeh.

 MK's Sami Abu Shehadeh and Ahmad Tibi seen during a plenum session in the assembly hall of the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 23, 2022.

Ra’am, Balad choose their Knesset representatives

The 591 attendees at the Ra'am conference only chose their first four candidates. The number one, two and four spots were not challenged and were merely reaffirmed by the assembly.

 Ra'am head Mansour Abbas at the Knesset plenum, January 4, 2022

Ex-MK Haneen Zoabi convicted of fraud, forgery in plea deal

Former Balad MK Haneen Zoabi and 12 others were convicted of fraud and forgery by the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Haneen Zoabi Joint List MK during a Knesset discussion

Indictment filed against former MK Haneen Zoabi on fraud, forgery charges

Zoabi was investigated along with about 35 other suspects, including senior officials at the time in the Balad party, on suspicion of committing forgery and fraud.

Haneen Zoabi and Jamal Zahalka