Election Committee Rejects Bids to Disqualify Jewish Power Party

The Central Elections Committee on Thursday rejected petitions seeking to disqualify the "Otzma Yehudit" (Jewish Power) party from running in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. The decision was made by a narrow margin of 11 votes to 10, with one abstention, following a debate.

The petitions were filed by the "Zulat" organization and the Democrats party. They argued that Otzma Yehudit should be barred from the elections under Section 7a of the Knesset Basic Law, citing grounds of denying Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state and incitement to racism.

As is customary, the committee's decision and its reasoning will be forwarded to the Supreme Court for review. Following the ruling, Otzma Yehudit leader and Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the move, stating, "It's simply amazing. Yesterday, when Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid abstained from voting on disqualifying Ra'am and the Joint List, and today they come to disqualify me. I can't believe it. I say one thing: just as they tried to harm me physically, today they tried to eliminate me politically. I will continue despite them, and against their will, 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."

Earlier in the proceedings, the committee's chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, requested prayers for the recovery of Master Sergeant (Res.) Neriah Leiter, son of Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yehiel Leiter. Neriah Leiter was seriously injured in a vehicular attack on Route 443 the previous day. Sohlberg noted Leiter's extensive public service and his current fight for life in the hospital, leading the committee in prayer. Shaare Zedek Medical Center reported late Wednesday that Neriah underwent life-saving procedures and complex brain surgery, remaining in very serious condition with his life in danger. Medical teams continue to provide intensive care, with social workers supporting his family.