Likud Seeks to Disqualify Arab Parties in Election Gambit

The Likud party has submitted a request to disqualify Arab parties Ra'am and the new Joint List (comprising Balad, Hadash, and Ta'al) from running in the upcoming elections. This move is seen as a strategic gamble by the ruling party, which has little to lose.

Historically, disqualifying entire parties from Knesset elections has been rare, with only two instances: the Socialist List in 1965 and the Kach movement in 1988. More recently, individual candidates have been disqualified. The current request targets parties that are crucial to the "change bloc" opposing Prime Minister Netanyahu.

If the disqualification is successful, it would significantly weaken the "change bloc" by preventing these Arab parties from entering the Knesset. This would also allow Likud to intensify its campaign rhetoric, labeling opponents as "terror supporters" and aiming to alienate voters who might otherwise support the change bloc.

Even if the disqualification request fails, Likud stands to benefit. The Central Elections Committee is likely to disqualify the parties based on available evidence, but the Supreme Court is expected to overturn the decision, as it has in the past. This reversal would provide Likud with ammunition for its campaign against the "judicial dictatorship" and the "rule of officials," a key theme in their bid to secure a majority.

Ultimately, Likud appears to believe that any outcome serves their political interests. A disqualification weakens the opposition, while a reversal allows them to attack the judicial system. This strategy opens another front for Likud's campaign, targeting not only rival parties but also what they perceive as the institutions enabling them.