Israeli Parties Seek to Disqualify Arab Lists Ahead of Elections

Two right-wing Israeli parties, Otzma Yehudit and Likud, have submitted requests to the Central Elections Committee seeking to disqualify the Arab parties Ra'am and the Joint List from participating in the upcoming elections. Otzma Yehudit initiated the move, citing statements by Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas that they claim indicate a mere declarative acceptance of Israel's Jewish character to avoid disqualification, alongside his refusal to label Hamas as a terrorist organization. Otzma Yehudit further alleged that Abbas and his supporters are "Hamas-supporting terrorists" and pointed to a report concerning the association "Aid 48," linked to Ra'am, detailing financial transfers and cooperation with terror groups.

Likud announced its intention to file a similar request, stating, "There is no place in the Knesset for those who harm IDF soldiers and cannot say that Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorist organizations." The party framed the move as a campaign tactic, suggesting that opposition parties supporting Ra'am would be aligning with "terror supporters" and natural partners for figures like Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Golan, and Avigdor Lieberman. Likud also declared its intention to capture Arab Israeli votes by not participating in the disqualification vote, a tactic employed in the 2021 elections.

The process for disqualifying a party or candidate begins at the Central Elections Committee, where any party can file a request based on grounds such as denying Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state, inciting racism, or supporting an enemy state or terror organization. The committee's decision is made by a majority vote of party representatives. However, past High Court of Justice rulings have consistently overturned disqualifications of Arab lists, upholding the constitutional right to elect and be elected and considering disqualification an exceptional measure. The High Court has previously reversed disqualifications of Ra'am, Hadash-Ta'al, and Balad, despite initial committee approvals.