Electoral Committee Approves Religious Zionist Party's Knesset Run

The Central Elections Committee overwhelmingly rejected a request to disqualify the "Religious Zionism-Identity" list, led by Bezalel Smotrich and Moshe Feiglin, clearing its path to run in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. The committee voted 21-3 against the disqualification.

This decision came just hours after the committee, by a vote of 19-10, also rejected a bid to disqualify the "Otzma Yehudit" party, headed by Itamar Ben-Gvir. During the discussion regarding Otzma Yehudit, a representative from the Attorney General's office stated there was insufficient evidence to warrant disqualification. The proceedings were marked by sharp exchanges.

The approval for these right-wing lists follows the committee's decision the previous day to disqualify the Arab parties Ra'am and the Joint List, as well as to personally disqualify Members of Knesset Ofer Cassif and Sami Abu Shehadeh.

However, the final determination on the composition of the electoral lists is expected to be made by the Supreme Court, which will hear appeals on these decisions.