Israel's Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Disqualify Jewish Power Party

Israel's Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking to disqualify the "Otzma Yehudit" (Jewish Power) party from competing in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. This ruling upholds the Central Elections Committee's earlier decision to reject similar petitions against the party.

The legal challenge was initiated by the "Zulat" Institute for Equality and Human Rights, former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, and other petitioners. They argued that the actions and statements of Otzma Yehudit members violated Basic Law: The Knesset, specifically citing provisions against denying Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and inciting racism.

These claims were previously considered and rejected by the Central Elections Committee. The process began earlier this month when Zulat, Ya'alon, former Internal Security Minister Omer Barlev, former minister Yael German, Professor Frances Radai, and diplomat Yoram Ben-Zeev filed their initial request. Individual disqualification requests against specific Otzma Yehudit candidates, including party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, were also dismissed earlier due to unmet signature requirements.

The Central Elections Committee voted last week to keep Otzma Yehudit on the ballot, with 19 members opposing disqualification, 10 in favor, and one abstention. During the committee's discussion, MK Gilad Kariv presented arguments for disqualification, while Itamar Ben-Gvir countered that some allegations were decades old and that the petitions were motivated by the party's rising poll numbers, a sentiment echoed by Tali Gottlieb.

With the Supreme Court's dismissal, Otzma Yehudit remains eligible to participate in the 26th Knesset elections.