MK Zvi Sukkot Faces Candidacy Challenge Over Anti-Terror Legislation

A petition has been filed with the Central Elections Committee seeking to disqualify MK Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism party from running in the upcoming Knesset elections. The petition, submitted by former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, former MK Omer Bar-Lev, the "Zulat" organization, and others, also targets Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Moshe Feiglin, head of the Zehut party.

The core of the challenge against Sukkot centers on his parliamentary activities and statements, which the petitioners argue violate Section 7a of the Basic Law: The Knesset. Specifically, the petition references Sukkot's legislative efforts to impose sanctions on supporters of terrorism and his proposals to remove "enemies' supporters" from the political sphere.

Among the initiatives cited is a bill Sukkot advanced in December 2024, which passed a preliminary reading, aimed at enabling sanctions against officials in organizations linked to terror financing. These sanctions could include entry bans to Israel, asset freezes or confiscations, and prohibitions on conducting business. Another proposal mentioned is a basic law from 2026 that would create a new disqualification criterion for individuals expressing support for an enemy state during armed conflict against Israel.

MK Sukkot responded to the petition, calling the demand for his disqualification a "greatest compliment." He contrasted his legislative work against terror supporters with Ya'alon's alleged public statements that harm Israel's image. Sukkot asserted that attempts to silence him or his constituents by preventing their elected officials from running for the Knesset are misguided.

It was noted that the Elections Committee has already dismissed the specific request to disqualify Sukkot personally, as it did not meet the preliminary requirement of signatures from one-third of the committee members. However, the broader petition to disqualify the Religious Zionism party list itself remains under consideration.