Shin Bet Changes Stance, Allowing Kahanist Party to Register for Elections

The Registrar of Political Parties informed the Israeli Supreme Court on Tuesday that it has decided to approve the registration of the party "Israel Yehudit Shlema Itana" following a reversal by Shin Bet chief David Zini. Shin Bet withdrew its original opposition to the party's registration after submitting an updated intelligence assessment on July 20, 2027, which presented less definitive conclusions than the previous report. The updated assessment acknowledged intelligence gaps and stated that the current evidence does not meet the clear threshold required by the Supreme Court for party disqualification.

Shin Bet clarified that it no longer takes a position on the party's registration, as the authority to disqualify parties does not rest with the security service. The Registrar compared the original and updated opinions and found significant differences, including the removal of earlier language that described the party as led by figures with a terrorist ideology and as a continuation of the "Kach" movement. The new assessment only indicates a basis to suspect a connection between "Israel Yehudit Shlema Itana" and "Kach."

The decision also considered constitutional rights such as freedom of association, voting rights, freedom of expression, and equality. Given the absence of opposition from Shin Bet and the revised professional opinion, the Registrar requested the Supreme Court to dismiss the disqualification proceedings against the party.