Israel’s opposition Democrats party has petitioned the Central Elections Committee to disqualify the Jewish Power party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, from participating in the October 27 general election.
The petition, filed on Monday, accuses Jewish Power of incitement to racism as well as actions that the Democrats say undermine democracy, the rule of law and judicial authority, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
The Democrats alleged that lawmakers associated with the Kahanist movement had used their political positions and parliamentary immunity to defy court orders, challenge the authority of the Supreme Court and incite what the petition described as “violent racism.”
The Central Elections Committee has yet to issue a decision on the request.
Ben-Gvir rejected the allegations and responded by accusing Yair Golan’s Democrats of being “anti-Semitic” and “anti-Israel.”
The petition was submitted days after Israeli political parties formally filed their candidate lists for the upcoming election.
A total of 38 lists have registered to compete for seats in Israel’s 120-member Knesset, although recent opinion polls indicate that around 13 could secure sufficient support to enter parliament.
Under Israeli electoral procedures, any decision to disqualify a candidate or electoral list is subject to review by the Supreme Court.