Israeli Parties Seek to Disqualify Rivals Ahead of Elections

As the Israeli Knesset elections approach, several political parties have submitted requests to disqualify rival parties and candidates from participating. The Central Elections Committee has received petitions to ban the Ra'am party and its leader Mansour Abbas, the Joint List, and the Otzma Yehudit party, along with specific lawmakers and candidates including Itamar Ben-Gvir, Ofer Cassif, Tali Gottlieb, Limor Son Har Melech, and Hanamel Dorfman.

The grounds for disqualification typically cited are undermining Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state, incitement to racism, or supporting armed conflict against Israel by an enemy state or terror organization. Otzma Yehudit, for instance, accused Ra'am of supporting Hamas and denying Israel's right to exist. The Likud party filed petitions against the Joint List and Ra'am, stating that those who harm IDF soldiers and do not condemn Hamas and Hezbollah have no place in the Knesset.

Conversely, the Democratic party has called for the disqualification of Otzma Yehudit and its members, alleging they undermine democracy and incite racism. The Zulat Institute for Equality and Human Rights, along with former ministers and lawmakers, also filed a petition against Otzma Yehudit, citing their continuation of the Kach movement's legacy, which was previously disqualified for racism, and their alleged intent to discriminate against Arab citizens.

Member of Knesset Oded Forer of Yisrael Beiteinu requested the disqualification of MK Ofer Cassif, citing Cassif's statements regarding Palestinian resistance and his support for South Africa's case against Israel at the Hague. Cassif has been accused of consistently supporting actions against the state.

The process involves the Central Elections Committee, which has a coalition majority, reviewing the petitions. Decisions can be appealed to the Supreme Court, which has the final say. Historically, several lists and candidates have been disqualified, with the Supreme Court playing a significant role in upholding or overturning these decisions, particularly after amendments to Basic Law: The Knesset following the disqualification of the Kach party in the late 1980s.