Wave of requests to exclude lists and candidates from the Israeli Knesset elections

The lists of “The United,” “Jewish Power,” and “The Democrats,” along with several candidates, face disqualification petitions ahead of the 26th Knesset elections.

The legal deadline for submitting disqualification petitions ended on Tuesday evening, shifting the battle to the Central Elections Committee, with some cases potentially reaching the Supreme Court.

The petitions are based on Article 7A of the “Basic Law: The Knesset,” which allows for the disqualification of a list or candidate under specific circumstances, including denying the existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, incitement to racism, or supporting the armed struggle of an enemy state or a terrorist organization against Israel.

Three separate petitions were filed to disqualify “The United,” led by Mansour Abbas, from the Likud party; “Jewish Power,” led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir; and the “Bochayim B’Chaim” forum.

Likud claims there are ties between “The United” and the Islamic Movement on one hand, and between Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood on the other, relying particularly on the activities of the “48 Aid” association, as well as statements by the head of “The United” regarding the Jewish character of the state and his stance on defining Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Likud also requested the disqualification of “The Joint List” and MK Omer Kashiya. Meanwhile, the head of the “Israel Beiteinu” faction, Oded Forer, filed a separate petition against Kashiya. Another petition filed by the organization “Betselem” and the families of victims against Kashiya was rejected for failing to meet the required number of signatures from Central Elections Committee members.

Two petitions were filed to disqualify the “Jewish Power” list, one from “The Democrats” party and the other from the “Zulat” association, alleging harm to the democratic character of the state and incitement to racism.

In response to the petition against it, “Jewish Power” requested the disqualification of “The Democrats” list, led by Yair Golan, citing his statements and those of other candidates against Haredim and settlers. These include Golan describing the settlers of Homesh as “subhuman” and Haredim as “parasitic residents,” as well as statements advocating civil disobedience, refusing to join reserve service, and criticizing Channel 14.

The lists and candidates will submit their responses, and the government’s legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, is also expected to present her position. The Central Elections Committee is expected to begin reviewing and ruling on the petitions next week.

Disqualifying an individual candidate requires Supreme Court approval, while a decision to disqualify an entire list can be appealed to the Supreme Court. According to judicial precedents, the Supreme Court has interpreted Article 7A narrowly, requiring clear, convincing, and conclusive evidence, meaning that the Central Elections Committee’s decisions on some disqualification petitions may ultimately end up before the Supreme Court.