The prominent candidate who will not be ousted from the Joint List despite harassment allegations - and the minority of women
Jafar Farah, number 2 in Hadash who was placed fourth on the Joint List, will not be ousted for now - despite the storm surrounding allegations that he sexually harassed women about 20 years ago. Farah denies the claims, and the party will continue to "monitor developments." In the background: criticism regarding the poor representation of women in the Joint List.
At the end of a meeting in Nazareth, the political bureau of Hadash and Maki decided today (Saturday) not to recommend to the general conference the ousting of Jafar Farah, the candidate in the fourth spot on the Joint List for the elections. Hanging over Farah is a cloud of allegations by two women that he sexually harassed them about 20 years ago. Farah reached the second spot in the Hadash primaries.
A summary of the discussion revealed that "the parties decided not to recommend his ousting at this stage, but authorized both bureaus to continue monitoring developments and to make decisions in accordance with the recommendations of the team that examined the affair." With this, the threat of ousting was removed from Farah for the time being.
The storm began in 2019 following the claims of two women that Farah sexually harassed them nearly two decades ago. The allegations, which did not lead to complaints or legal proceedings, have resurfaced in recent days and caused a major storm within Arab society and Hadash. Farah has repeatedly denied the allegations over the years, but said he is willing to stand for inquiry by a professional or legal body.
Farah published a personal statement yesterday in which he rejected the allegations against him. He claimed that throughout decades of public activity he has worked alongside hundreds of women and men, and that equality between women and men is a central part of his worldview. He added that he is willing to be examined and to face the allegations, expressed regret over the possibility that behavior on his part harmed someone, and clarified that he is attentive to criticism and is willing to examine his conduct. From his perspective, this is not an admission of the harassment allegations.
Criticism in Hadash: not enough women in senior positions
A question currently occupying Hadash is why this old story has returned to center stage now. According to sources familiar with the political system, Farah still has support among senior figures in Hadash and Maki, but the party understands that continuing to deal with the affair could become a significant test ahead of the elections.
The discussion surrounding the allegations against Farah connects to the criticism regarding the composition of the list, in which female representation is limited to only two candidates in the top ten — Maa Abukarkabi (Balad) and Nihaya Shehade (Hadash) — while the rest of the spots are occupied by men. This is a party that has spoken for years about equality, human rights, and the fight against discrimination, but when looking at the emerging Joint List, the reality is more complex.
Feminist activists have pointed to the gap between Hadash's ideology and the actual representation. The claim is different: there are not enough women in positions where decisions are made. For years, Knesset member Aida Touma-Sliman was one of the most prominent and identifiable figures of Hadash. She did not run in the party's primaries this time and is not expected to serve in the next Knesset — but she will continue to be a member of the Hadash leadership. Her absence from the Knesset is expected to be felt particularly regarding female representation in the party.
