Democrats Party Primaries Heat Up Amid Fierce Competition and Controversies

Over 100,000 registered members of the Israeli Democrats party will vote next week to select their candidates for the upcoming Knesset elections. Unlike the party's usual dull image, this primary race is marked by intense competition among about 50 candidates vying for roughly 5 to 6 realistic Knesset seats. Senior candidates Yaya Pink and Moran Zar Katzenstein appeared on Walla's "Sari and Schlesinger" podcast to discuss the race and pressing issues.

Pink highlighted a significant surge in liberal activism and party registrations, attributing it to public reaction against the judicial reform laws and likening rival Yariv Levin to Balaam, who intended to curse but ended up blessing. Katzenstein added that aggressive behavior by some MKs, such as Rothman, has awakened voters, alongside the party's clear left-wing stance. Despite recent scandals, including Ronen Tzur's withdrawal and harsh criticism of the list, both candidates emphasized unity and downplayed internal tensions, acknowledging that "there are always passions in a contest."

The candidates also debated the role of the Chief Rabbinate, with Pink advocating for separation of religion and state to encourage broader religious participation, while Katzenstein sharply criticized the Rabbinate as a power-preserving institution that excludes women and reform streams. They condemned the Basic Law on Torah Study as pushing Israel toward a theocracy.

Both Pink and Katzenstein, along with party leader Yair Golan, called for the dismissal of Shin Bet chief David Zini, criticizing the agency's politicization and suppression of dissent. Pink accused the police of becoming politicized under Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and warned that the Democrats might be excluded from the next government coalition by leaders like Benny Gantz or Naftali Bennett unless they gain significant strength.

If they enter government, the Democrats intend to form a coalition with Mansour Abbas or support it from outside, but they ruled out any cooperation with ultra-Orthodox parties, citing irreconcilable differences on issues like equal burden sharing, core curriculum, and rule of law protection. Katzenstein stated, "We will have clear red lines, and if the ultra-Orthodox align with them, fine, but they probably won't." Pink added that the ultra-Orthodox are unlikely to abandon Netanyahu, while Abbas seeks Jewish-Arab partnership.