Election Committee Rejects Bid to Disqualify Jewish Power Party

The Central Elections Committee has rejected a request to disqualify the "Jewish Power" (Otzma Yehudit) party from running in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. The petition, filed by the Democrats party, argued that Jewish Power should be barred from participating based on two main grounds: denying the existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and incitement to racism.

Following a lengthy discussion, the committee voted 19-10 to dismiss the disqualification request, with one abstention. The decision allows the Jewish Power party to remain on the ballot.

Jewish Power chairman and Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reacted strongly to the ruling. He criticized former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and current Prime Minister Yair Lapid for abstaining on a vote to disqualify the Arab parties Ra'am and the Joint List yesterday, while today they sought to disqualify him. "Unbelievable," he stated.

Ben-Gvir added, "Just as they tried to harm me physically, today they tried to politically assassinate me. I will continue, despite them, to act for the people of Israel, the land of Israel, and the Torah of Israel. I will continue to act against terrorists in prisons and to arm the people of Israel."