Parties File Disqualification Petitions Ahead of Israeli Elections

The deadline for submitting petitions to disqualify parties and candidates from running in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections has passed, with the Central Elections Committee preparing to hold hearings next week. A total of ten disqualification requests have been filed.

Among the prominent petitions, the Likud party, Otzma Yehudit, and the "Bocharim Be'Chaim" (Choosing Life) forum have each submitted separate requests to disqualify the Ra'am party. The Likud's petition cites Ra'am's alleged denial of Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state and support for a terrorist organization's armed struggle against the country. The petition also claims ties between Ra'am, the Islamic Movement, and the "Aid 48" association.

Conversely, the Democratic party and the "Zulat for Equality and Human Rights" organization have filed petitions to disqualify Otzma Yehudit and several of its candidates, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Tali Gottlieb. Their petition argues that Otzma Yehudit denies Israel's existence as a democratic state and incites racism.

Otzma Yehudit has also filed a counter-petition against the Democratic party, alleging that statements made by Yair Golan against the Haredi community and settlers constitute incitement to racism. They also claim the party's stances on Channel 14 and draft evasion harm the country's democratic character.

Several individual petitions were dismissed outright by the committee, including those against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister Amichai Eliyahu, and Knesset members Tali Gottlieb, Limor Son Har Melech, Yitzhak Kroizer, Hananel Dorfman, and Tzachi Eliyahu. Petitions against Yair Golan and the "Israel First" list were also rejected. Remaining petitions, including one against the Religious Zionism and Identity lists, will be debated by the Central Elections Committee next week.