Israeli Election Committee Approves 38 Lists, Assigns New Ballot Letters

The Central Elections Committee has approved 38 lists of candidates to compete in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections, also finalizing the letters that will appear on ballot papers. Among the notable new letter assignments are 'רק' (Rak) for Naftali Bennett's party and 'ך' (Kaf Sofit) for Ofir Winter.

Other significant letter assignments include 'דרך' (Derech) for Gadi Eisenkot, 'מחל' (Mem-Het-Lamed) for the Likud party, 'ל' (Lamed) for Yisrael Beiteinu, 'ב' (Bet) for Otzma Yehudit, 'אמת' (Emet) for the Democrats, 'כן' (Ken) for Blue and White, and 'ט' (Tet) for the Religious Zionism and Identity parties.

However, the committee approved the Arab lists Ra'am and the Joint List on condition, pending a Supreme Court decision. The committee had initially determined they were disqualified from participating based on a clause in the Basic Law: The Knesset, which prohibits parties that incite racism. Two candidates from the Joint List were also disqualified.

In a rare decision, the list 'Paradise' was denied its request to use the letters 'יה' (Yud-Heh) due to concerns about offending public sensibilities, and was instead assigned the letter 'ה' (Heh).

Other approved lists and their letters include 'המילואימניקים והכלכלית' (The Reservists and the Economic) led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha with 'די' (Dalet-Yud), Shas with 'שס' (Shin-Samekh), United Torah Judaism with 'ג' (Gimel), and Noam led by Avi Maoz with 'ני' (Nun-Yud). The full details of the lists and candidates will be published on the Central Elections Committee website.