OMM Redaksiyası
Arab member of the Israeli Knesset Ayman Odeh has criticized the Central Elections Committee’s decision to prevent Arab electoral lists from contesting the Oct. 27 parliamentary election, according to Israeli Army Radio.
“All the Kahanists are allowed to run in the elections, but representatives of the Arab population are prohibited from competing,” Odeh was quoted as saying.
Palestinian citizens account for about 21% of Israel’s population of more than 10 million. Kahanism refers to a far-right Israeli ideology associated with Meir Kahane, an Israeli-American rabbi and politician who founded a movement known for its extremist views.
Arab lists and candidates disqualified
On Wednesday, the Central Elections Committee voted to disqualify the Joint Arab List and the United Arab List, known as Ra’am, along with Knesset member Ofer Cassif and Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from standing in the election.
Critics said the decisions were part of efforts by Israel’s right wing to prevent Arab parties from influencing the formation of the next government. Opinion polls indicate that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing bloc nor the opposition has secured the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority.
By contrast, the committee on Thursday rejected a request to disqualify the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Appeal expected before Supreme Court
Odeh said he hoped Israel’s Supreme Court would overturn the disqualification decisions and allow the barred candidates and lists to participate in the election.
Cassif also criticized the government and opposition in a post on “X”, the US-based social media company, following his disqualification.
“The Kahanists in both the government and the opposition are afraid of the power of our voice,” Cassif said. “Our voice is the only one that offers a genuine alternative to racist, militaristic and bloodthirsty discourse.”
Cassif, a lawmaker with the Joint Arab List, is known for opposing the Netanyahu government’s policies toward Palestinians, including Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since 2023, which he describes as genocide.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Netanyahu has led the current government since late December 2022 and is standing trial on corruption charges, which he denies.
