Otzma Yehudit Seeks to Disqualify Ra'am Party from Elections

Otzma Yehudit, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has filed a request with the Central Elections Committee to disqualify the Ra'am party from participating in the upcoming elections. The petition, spanning 127 pages, alleges that Ra'am denies Israel's existence as a Jewish state and supports armed struggle against it.

The applicants argue that the October 7th massacre necessitates a re-evaluation of disqualification policies, stating that a democracy must defend itself against enemies seeking its destruction. New evidence presented includes a report from the Registrar of Associations concerning the "Aid 48" association, which the petition claims has direct ties to Ra'am and details fund transfers and cooperation with terror groups. The request also highlights alleged direct links between Ra'am, the Southern Islamic Movement, and affiliated associations, as well as ideological ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

The petition further points to statements by Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas, which the applicants interpret as a mere declarative acceptance of Israel's Jewish character to avoid disqualification. This is contrasted with Abbas's refusal to designate Hamas as a terror organization. Otzma Yehudit characterizes this as a "two-voiced approach," speaking one way to Israelis to achieve goals without disqualification, and another way to Arab audiences.

Minister Ben-Gvir stated, "The concept is over. The evidence presented in the request removes the mask from Ra'am. Anyone who denies the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish state and supports armed struggle against it has no place in the Knesset. After the October 7th massacre, we will no longer close our eyes and will not allow those who act against the state to use democracy to harm it from within. Terror supporters will not be in the Knesset."