Calls Mount to Ban Political Campaigning Inside Israeli Knesset Following Multiple Incidents

Following two recent incidents involving political candidates using the Israeli Knesset for campaign activities, the organization Betzalmo has formally demanded action to prevent the parliament building from becoming a venue for primary election campaigning. The latest case occurred when Naor Narkis, a Democratic Party primary candidate, entered the Shas faction room inside the Knesset, filmed a video, and distributed campaign materials promoting his proposal to separate religion and state funding. This followed a similar event a week earlier when former MK Inbar Bezek, also running in the Democratic primaries, posted mock "recruitment orders" on the doors of ultra-Orthodox MKs' offices.

Betzalmo's CEO, Shay Glick, sent a letter to Knesset Officer Yuval Chen and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana urging them to take significant measures against these candidates, including potentially banning their entry to the Knesset. Glick warned that ignoring these provocations risks normalizing the use of the Knesset for political stunts, calling it a "slippery and dangerous slope." He emphasized that the parliament should not serve as a stage for cheap political provocations seeking media attention.

The organization demands that the involved candidates be summoned for inquiry and that steps be taken to prevent further exploitation of the Knesset premises for election campaigning. The incidents have sparked debate about maintaining the Knesset's neutrality and decorum amid ongoing primary election activities within the Democratic Party.

Summary: After Democratic Party primary candidates used the Israeli Knesset for campaign stunts twice within a week, the organization Betzalmo has demanded the Knesset leadership take action to stop such political campaigning inside the parliament building, warning it threatens the institution's integrity.