Story perspectives

Supreme Court to review Israel disqualifications of Ra’am

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 6:23 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Israel’s Central Elections Committee voted on September 23, 2026 to bar the Ra’am party, Joint List alliance and two candidates.
The Supreme Court must review the rulings and historically requires clear, convincing evidence, often overturning disqualifications.
Likud, Otzma Yehudit and Choose Life forum petitioned, claiming Ra’am supports armed struggle and rejects Israel as Jewish and democratic.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Aisman opposed the disqualifications, saying petitions lacked evidence.

History

Historical Context

In 1985 Israel passed a law letting the Central Elections Committee bar parties whose platform rejects Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. The Supreme Court applied it in 1994, sustaining Kach’s disqualification by a 5-4 vote. Today Likud, Otzma Yehudit and Choose Life forum petition to bar Arab parties Ra’am and the Joint List, echoing that precedent.

1 of 2

Story summary

Israel’s Central Elections Committee voted on September 23, 2026 to bar the Ra’am party, Joint List alliance and two candidates.
The Supreme Court must review the rulings and historically requires clear, convincing evidence, often overturning disqualifications.
Likud, Otzma Yehudit and Choose Life forum petitioned, claiming Ra’am supports armed struggle and rejects Israel as Jewish and democratic.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Aisman opposed the disqualifications, saying petitions lacked evidence.

1 / 2