Arab Party Accuses Ben Gvir of Exploiting Home Demolitions for Election Gains
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
The United Arab List party has petitioned the Israeli Supreme Court to halt home demolitions in Arab communities, accusing Minister Ben Gvir of using them for electoral gain. The party cited over 70 homes and a mosque destroyed in Dhahiya village and issued demolition orders in Al-Zayyadna. They argue the timing and Ben Gvir's statements indicate an abuse of power to influence elections. The Supreme Court has asked the Attorney General for a response by Tuesday.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Arab List petitions Supreme Court to halt home demolitions, accusing Minister Ben Gvir of electoral exploitation.
- The party cites destruction of over 70 homes and a mosque in Dhahiya village, north of Rahat.
- Demolitions and evictions are sought to be frozen until a new Israeli government is formed.
- Attorney Wissam Ghanayem called the use of demolitions an electoral tool a dangerous abuse of power.
- The Supreme Court has requested a response from the Attorney General by next Tuesday.
The United Arab List party has filed an urgent petition with the Israeli Supreme Court, accusing Minister Ben Gvir of using home demolitions in Arab communities for electoral purposes. The party is seeking to freeze administrative and judicial demolition orders, as well as eviction orders for state lands in the Negev and across the Arab community, until a new government is formed. The petition states that demolitions have escalated ahead of elections, citing the destruction of over 70 homes and a mosque in the village of Dhahiya, north of Rahat, which displaced dozens of families. Demolition orders were also issued to residents of the village of Al-Zayyadna.
The United Arab List argues that the timing of these demolitions, coupled with Ben Gvir's public boasting about them, raises questions about the exploitation of state authority for political gain and undermines the integrity of the electoral process and the neutrality of official bodies. The petition was submitted by attorneys Wissam Ghanayem and Razi Shahwadi, following a request by party head Mansour Abbas to the Attorney General to intervene and freeze the demolitions, though no decision has been made yet.
Attorney Wissam Ghanayem stated that demolishing homes that have stood for years on the eve of elections lacks urgency, suggesting that some building issues could be resolved by the next government. He warned that using the demolition of Arab citizens' homes as an electoral tool by a minister involved in political competition constitutes a dangerous abuse of power. The Supreme Court has requested the Attorney General to respond to the petition by next Tuesday.
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