Israeli Supreme Court Reviews Ban on Right-Wing Party Registration Over Security Concerns

The Israeli Supreme Court is set to hold a hearing on Tuesday at 10:00 AM regarding the registrar of political parties' refusal to register the new right-wing party "Israel Yehudit Shlema Ve'itena". The hearing will be conducted by Justices Daphne Barak-Erez, David Mintz, and Ofer Grosskopf. The case centers on whether the party's registration can be blocked due to concerns it may serve as a front for illegal activities, as stipulated under Section 5(3) of the Political Parties Law.

The registrar's decision, made in June 2026, followed an extensive review including a hearing with the party founders, intelligence information from the Shin Bet, and examination of evidence. The state supports the registrar's refusal and has requested the court to uphold the decision. According to the state's position, Shin Bet intelligence indicates that the party founders have ties to the "Kach" organization, which was declared a terrorist group in 1994, and that they promote its ideology. This forms a reasonable basis to suspect the party might be a cover for unlawful activity.

The party founders include former Otzma Yehudit deputy CEO Yehezkel Hasson, Sarah Marzel (wife of Baruch Marzel), Rabbi Yehuda Epstein of "Kedushat Tzion," and former Knesset member Dr. Michael Ben Ari. They reject all allegations, arguing there is no factual or legal basis to deny their registration and that the refusal infringes on their rights to organize and participate in elections.

The Supreme Court's ruling will determine whether the registrar's decision stands or is overturned, potentially allowing the party to proceed with registration.

Summary: The Israeli Supreme Court will decide whether to uphold the registrar's refusal to register the right-wing party "Israel Yehudit Shlema Ve'itena" over security concerns linking it to the banned "Kach" group, with the party founders denying the allegations and asserting their democratic rights.

Points: - The Supreme Court will hear a case on June 27, 2026, about blocking a right-wing party's registration. - The registrar refused registration citing suspicion of illegal activity linked to the "Kach" terrorist group. - Shin Bet intelligence supports the refusal, alleging founders promote banned extremist ideology. - Party founders include notable right-wing figures who deny all allegations. - The court's decision will confirm or overturn the registrar's ban on the party's registration.

Topic: politics

Entities: {"people":["Michael Ben Ari","Baruch Marzel","Sarah Marzel","Yehezkel Hasson","Daphne Barak-Erez","David Mintz","Ofer Grosskopf","Yehuda Epstein"],"organizations":["Israel Yehudit Shlema Ve'itena","Shin Bet","Kach","Otzma Yehudit","Kedushat Tzion"],"places":["Israel"]}