Democrats Seek to Disqualify Otzma Yehudit From Elections

The Democrats party submitted a petition Monday to the Central Elections Committee demanding the disqualification of Otzma Yehudit and all eight of its candidates from running in the 26th Knesset elections. The petition, filed by the party's legal counsel Attorney Omri Segev, rests on two primary grounds: undermining democracy and denying Israel's existence as a democratic state, alongside incitement to racism.

According to the petition, Otzma Yehudit representatives "are no longer dealing in theory, but are using their governmental power and the immunity granted to them to shatter the rule of law, violate court orders, refuse to recognize the authority of the High Court of Justice, harm state security, and incite violent racism."

The racism-based disqualification claim references actions and statements by seven of the party's candidates. Among the evidence presented: widespread public support for someone convicted of murdering three members of the Dawabsha family in a racially motivated crime, publication of personal details of Arab citizens with explicit calls to harm their livelihoods, and identification with the Kach movement that was previously disqualified on these same grounds.

Regarding National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the petition states that "this is not a one-time slip in the current term; he represents a consistent and dangerous ideology." The petition traces a historical pattern: beginning with his past convictions for supporting a terror organization and incitement to racism, through his removal of the car emblem of late Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin and the statement "we got to the emblem, we'll get to him too" — and continuing to the present day. According to the petitioners, in his current role he exercises governmental authority in violation of the law and systematically acts contrary to High Court decisions.

The petition argues that MK Tally Gotliv she uses her parliamentary immunity to attack state institutions. The petition notes she publicly called to break into a military base to disrupt an investigation and announced that court orders do not apply to her. The low point, according to the petitioners, came when she exposed the identity of a Shin Bet operative, leading to an indictment against her for security offenses involving disclosure of classified information.

Yair Golan (Photo: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Democrats CEO Omer Lubaton Granot stated: "A democracy that wishes to live must defend itself against anti-democratic forces that seek to use the tools it grants them to destroy it from within. As proud democracy fighters who carry the flag of Israel as Jewish and democratic, we will not allow them to do so."

Lubaton Granot added: "Unlike the destroyers of democracy who seek to dismantle the foundations of our existence, the Democrats party stands as a fortified wall on the front lines of the struggle. We call on the Central Elections Committee to draw a red and glaring line, and to disqualify this racist and dangerous list immediately."

Otzma Yehudit responded sharply to the petition. The party stated: "The Democrats party is an antisemitic, anti-Israel party. It is headed by a person who said that IDF soldiers kill babies as a hobby, members of this party led the refusal movement in the IDF on the eve of October 7th, provided legal representation to terrorists, and just today backed the antisemitic incitement film against the IDF. The fact that such a party is a member of the Knesset is a mark of shame for the State of Israel."

It should be noted this is not the first time parties have attempted to disqualify one another at the Elections Committee. In the past, parties and candidates have been disqualified on similar grounds, though the decisions have not always withstood High Court review. The proceedings at the Central Elections Committee are expected to take place in the coming weeks.