ISRAEL – Arab parties barred from the October 27 elections

JERUSALEM, September 24 /ATSH-DPA/ – Israel’s Central Elections Committee has banned the participation of Arab parties in next month’s parliamentary elections, while rejecting the request to disqualify the Jewish far-right party “Otzma Yehudit”, broadcaster Kan reported today.

The committee dismissed the request to ban the participation of “Otzma Yehudit”, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his hardline political stances.

The committee voted yesterday 18 to 5 to disqualify the conservative Islamic party “Raam”, led by Mansour Abbas, as well as the joint electoral list comprising the parties “Hadash”, “Taal” and “Balad”.

Several individual MPs were also barred from the elections.

The requests to disqualify these parties included accusations that they supported armed struggle against Israel.

The affected parties condemned the decision, calling it “political, racist and antidemocratic”.

The decisions on the electoral lists are not yet final and can be appealed to the High Court.

According to reported assessments, it is considered likely that the court will overturn these decisions.

Opinion polls suggest that neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp nor his opponents’ can confidently count on an absolute majority in the crucial October 27 elections.

The “Raam” party, if allowed to take part, could play a key role in determining the parliamentary majority.

Netanyahu and his political allies have consistently questioned the participation of Arab parties in political alliances in Israel.

Even some parts of the Jewish opposition rule out the possibility of forming a coalition with Arab parties. /Ad.Ab./ a.jor./