The Democrats party petitioned Israel’s Central Elections Committee on Monday to disqualify the Otzma Yehudit party and eight of its candidates from running in elections for the 26th Knesset, accusing the party of inciting racism and undermining Israel’s democratic institutions.
In its petition, the Democrats cited “harm to democracy and denial of the State of Israel’s existence as a democratic state and for incitement to racism.”
“Representatives of Kahanism in the Israeli Knesset are no longer engaged in theory, but are using their governmental power and immunity to crush the rule of law, violate judicial orders, refuse to recognize the authority of the High Court of Justice, harm state security and incite violent racism,” the petition states.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and MK Tally Gotliv, who hold the first and second positions on the Otzma Yehudit list, were specifically named in the petition.
Regarding Ben Gvir, the Democrats argued that his conduct reflects a broader political ideology rather than isolated actions.
“This is not a one-time lapse during the current term; he represents a consistent and dangerous ideology,” the petition states.
Gotliv was accused of using her parliamentary immunity to damage state institutions. The petition cited her public call to break into a military base to interfere with an investigation and her assertion that court orders did not apply to her.
Democrats also pointed to Gotliv’s disclosure of the identity of a Shin Bet officer, which resulted in her indictment on security offenses involving the release of classified information.
Otzma Yehudit responded by attacking the Democrats and rejecting the accusations.
“The Democrats Party is an antisemitic, anti-Israel party. It is led by a man who said that IDF [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers kill infants as a hobby; members of this party led the insubordination in the IDF ahead of October 7th, provided legal counsel to terrorists, and just today backed the antisemitic incitement film against the IDF. The fact that such a party is in the Knesset is a disgrace to the State of Israel.”
