Arab women topple politician accused of sexual harassment in landmark case

For years, Arab society in Israel has rebuffed women’s rights activists by claiming that all energies need to be devoted to the national struggle and to combatting racism. 

But now, two women’s groups—Haifa based As-Siwar and Nazareth-based Women Against Violence have dented the patriarchal norms by managing to topple the candidacy for the Knesset of an influential leader, Jafar Farah, on grounds of suspected sexual harassment. Farah, 60, denies the allegations. 

Although Farah’s supporters argued that a crucial election campaign to oust an extremist government was no time to be divided by other issues, the women’s groups countered that their voices must be heard urgently. 

They launched a social media campaign under the heading “Abuser, Resign!” and lobbied officials in Farah’s Hadash party, presenting them with multiple women giving testimonies against him. They prevailed against a tide of hostility including charges that they were serving political rivals of Farah, interfering in the democratic choice of the party, reflecting foreign interests and helping the Israeli right. 

There have been eight testimonies making allegations against Farah, the earliest dating back to 2017, according to a report in Haaretz.  

Farah, who was number two on the Hadash party list with a guaranteed seat to enter the Knesset before he was ousted, told TJI  that no complaint has ever been filed against him with police and he has faced no legal proceedings in labour court nor has he been investigated or convicted in connection with the allegations.