Akademik

(BALAD)

   An Arab political party headed by member of the Knesset Azmi Bishara. In 1996, it ran as part of an electoral coalition with the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash). It ran independently in 1999, winning two seats in the 15th Knesset. Its policy platform emphasizes the granting of full civil and political rights to Israeli Arabs and the need for Israel to "become a state of [all] its citizens, not a Jewish state." Balad was initially barred from contesting the election to the 16th Knesset in 2003 due to Bishara's explicit support for Hezbollah terrorism against Israel as well as Balad's call for Israel to become a "state for all its citizens," which was considered by the Central Elections Committee to be contrary to the interests of the Jewish state. However, the Supreme Court of Israel overturned the disqualifications of both Bishara and Balad, and the party went on to win three seats in the 16th Knesset (2003) and 17th Knesset (2006). Party leader Bishara abruptly resigned his Knesset seat in April 2007 amid a police investigation as to whether his contacts with foreign actors exceeded his parliamentary immunity.

   See also Political parties.