Otzma Yehudit Seeks to Disqualify Ra'am Party Ahead of Elections

Otzma Yehudit and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have submitted a request to the Central Elections Committee to disqualify the Ra'am party and its chairman, Mansour Abbas, from running in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. The request argues that new evidence justifies the party's disqualification, citing claims that Ra'am denies Israel's existence as a Jewish state and supports armed struggle against it.

The applicants point to a report by the Registrar of Associations concerning the "Si'a 48" association, which they allege is connected to Ra'am. They also highlight purported links between the party, the southern faction of the Islamic Movement, and other associations. Otzma Yehudit contends that following the October 7th attacks, a lenient approach towards parties suspected of supporting terrorism is no longer acceptable.

The request includes statements by Mansour Abbas, which the applicants claim reveal different messages for the Jewish and Arab public. They are also demanding the release of Shin Bet and police investigation materials concerning Ra'am and its affiliated organizations.

Minister Ben-Gvir stated, "The legislator had his say years ago, but the court ignored the law and legitimized dozens of terrorists here and allowed them to serve in the Knesset. The time has come to say enough. The time has come to implement the law and disqualify the terrorist organization called Ra'am and its head, the Muslim Brotherhood man Mansour Abbas." He further described Abbas as "a wolf in sheep's clothing."