Democrats Petition to Disqualify Jewish Power Party from Elections

The Israeli "Democrats" party has filed a petition with the Central Elections Committee demanding the disqualification of the "Otzma Yehudit" (Jewish Power) party and its eight candidates from running in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. The petition, submitted by the Democrats' legal counsel, Omri Segev, cites two main grounds: undermining democracy and denying Israel's existence as a democratic state, and incitement to racism.

The Democrats argue that Otzma Yehudit representatives are exploiting their governmental power and immunity to violate the rule of law, disregard judicial orders, challenge the Supreme Court's authority, endanger national security, and promote violent racism. The claim of racial incitement is based on alleged actions and statements by seven of Otzma Yehudit's candidates, including public support for the convicted murderer of the Dawabsheh family, publishing the details of Arab citizens with the intent to harm their livelihoods, and identifying with the banned Kach movement.

Regarding the charge of undermining democracy, the petition points to statements and actions by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and MK Tali Gottlieb. Ben-Gvir is accused of a consistent and dangerous ideology, citing past convictions for supporting a terrorist organization and incitement to racism, as well as an incident where he tore a symbol from the car of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The petition also claims Ben-Gvir is currently exceeding his authority, acting against Supreme Court rulings, issuing operational orders to the police against protesters, and using appointments to intimidate oversight officials.

MK Gottlieb is accused of using her parliamentary immunity to harm state institutions. The petition mentions her call to storm a military base during a breach to disrupt an investigation and her statements that court orders do not apply to her. It also highlights her exposure of a Shin Bet agent's identity, leading to a security offense indictment for revealing classified information, which the Democrats argue clearly demonstrates the charge of denying the state's existence and harming its institutions.

Omer Lubaton Granot, CEO of the Democrats, stated that a democracy must defend itself against anti-democratic forces seeking to destroy it from within and called on the Elections Committee to disqualify the "racist and dangerous list." Otzma Yehudit rejected the petition, labeling the Democrats as "anti-Semitic, anti-Israel" and accusing them of supporting terrorists and anti-Israel propaganda.