Likud Party seeks to disqualify Arab political lists from Knesset elections

The Likud Party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced intentions to submit requests to the Central Elections Committee to disqualify both the Joint List and the United List from participating in the upcoming Knesset elections. Likud justified the move by stating there is ‘no place in the Knesset for those who harm Israeli army soldiers,’ targeting the stances of these Arab-led political groups.

Under Israeli law, the Central Elections Committee can consider disqualifying lists or candidates if they deny Israel’s status as a Jewish and democratic state, incite racism, or support armed struggle against the state. The Joint List includes the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, the Arab Movement for Change, and the National Democratic Assembly, while the United List is running independently under Mansour Abbas.

Historical precedents show that such disqualification attempts are often subject to legal challenges. In previous election cycles, including 2003, 2009, 2019, and 2022, the Central Elections Committee has moved to disqualify various Arab lists, only for the Israeli Supreme Court to subsequently overturn those decisions and allow the parties to participate in the elections.