Shin Bet Softens Stance Allowing Kahanist Party to Run in Israeli Elections

The head of Shin Bet, David Zini, has softened the agency's position regarding the far-right party previously barred from running in Israeli elections due to alleged ties to the illegal terrorist group Kahane Chai. Following a new intelligence assessment submitted to the Supreme Court, the party registrar approved the party's legal registration.

The original opinion, authored by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, stated there was reliable intelligence indicating the party was led by figures adhering to the terrorist group's ideology and sought to promote it through the party, effectively making the party a continuation of Kahane Chai. However, after Zini assumed leadership, he informed the Supreme Court that he intended to reexamine the intelligence and provide an updated opinion.

Zini concluded that while there is a basis to suggest a connection between the "Jewish Israel Complete and Strong Party" and Kahane Chai, the evidence did not warrant disqualification. Attorney Roy Shweika from the High Court petitions department, who submitted the updated opinion, noted that the differences between the secret opinions could not be fully disclosed.

Attorney Oded Peled, legal advisor to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, which sought to join the opposition to the party's disqualification, criticized the process. He warned that Shin Bet’s shifting stance based on confidential evidence highlights the risk of politically motivated bans and cautioned against allowing the security service to control democratic election rules or decide which parties and candidates may participate.