Israel’s Central Election Committee on Thursday banned a major party representing Palestinian citizens of Israel from running in forthcoming elections, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
The CEC voted 9 to 5 to ban the National Democratic Assembly (Balad/Tajammu’), led by Sami Abu Shehadeh, from running in the November Knesset elections.
The Israeli Central Election Committee has banned the Palestinian Balad Party from taking part in forthcoming Knesset elections, in a move denounced as “racist”.https://t.co/Cf1ce790to
— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) September 30, 2022
In parallel, the CEC rejected disqualification motions filed by right-wing Israeli organizations against the United Arab List (Ra’am), led by MK Mansour Abbas.
The banning motion was requested by an Israeli party called Anachnu (‘We Are Together Towards a New Social Order’). According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, it was supported by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s National Unity Party.
🔴 breaking: the Arab party “Balad” has been disqualified from the election to Knesset. The Knesset Election Council voted 9-5 with Ben Gvir (RZ) and Karhi (Likud) abstaining. Balad was disqualified for not recognizing the state of Israel. Balad is taking this to the high courts. pic.twitter.com/J56RnN5Xxu
— Chaim • حاييم • חיים (@ChaimSmierc) September 29, 2022
Anachnu claimed that Balad/Tajammu’ rejects Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and instead supports “a state of all its citizens”.
Adalah, the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, will appeal the CEC’s decision to the Israeli Supreme Court, which is slated to hold a hearing on the disqualification on Thursday.
(WAFA, PC, SOCIAL)
