Once again a big storm has hit the political scene of Israel (Israel Elections 2026), which is considered the most sensitive in the Middle East. In view of the general elections to be held on October 27, Israel's Central Election Committee has taken a major decision to ban two major Arab parties and their front leaders from contesting the elections. This decision has raised questions on the political representation of the Muslim and Arab community in Israel, and it is being alleged in political circles that this decision is a big ploy by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to win the elections.
In this decision taken on September 23, the Central Election Committee voted to expel the political alliance 'Ra'am' led by Mansour Abbas and the 'Joint List' comprising Hadash, Ta'al and Balad from the electoral field. Additionally, the individual candidacies of Hadash MP Ofer Kassif and Balad Party leader Sami Abu Shehadeh have also been banned. But, according to Israeli electoral law, this decision is not considered final, as such a ban requires final approval from the Supreme Court.
On what basis was this action taken?
The Israeli Central Election Committee took this disqualification action under Article 7a of the Basic Law: Knesset. According to the rules of this law, if a party or candidate refuses to recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, spreads racial or ethnic hatred in the society, or supports armed conflict against Israel by an enemy country or terrorist organization, he can be disqualified from the election.
The petition against the Ra'am party was jointly filed by Netanyahu's Likud party, the right-wing Otzma Yehudit party and a social organization. The committee disqualified Ram with a clear majority of 18 to 5. On the other hand, Likud Party also took initiative against the Joint List. The proposal to ban Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh was approved by a large margin of 31 to 4. The decision was based on an article he wrote on October 8, 2023, in which he criticized Israel's policies. However, Abu Shehadeh has completely denied all charges against him of supporting violence and terrorism.
Netanyahu's political moves and changing equations
This decision is likely to have far-reaching effects on Israeli politics, and especially on the role of Arab voters. In the 2021 elections, Mansour Abbas's Ra'am party made history by supporting the coalition government of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. This decision ended the 12-year rule of Benjamin Netanyahu. That is why Netanyahu's Likud party is in no mood to allow Arab parties to return to the role of kingmakers under any circumstances.
If we look at the latest poll released recently by Channel 12, the Joint List is expected to get 7 seats and the Ra'am Party is expected to get 5 seats, while Netanyahu's current coalition is likely to get 50 seats. So, if Arab parties are completely excluded from the elections, there is great uncertainty as to who will directly benefit from their 12 seats. Since there are already major differences between opposition parties regarding Arab support, analysts believe that Netanyahu is more likely to indirectly benefit from this ban.
The final decision of the Supreme Court will be decisive
Israel's Central Election Committee consists mainly of representatives of political parties, so its decisions are often accused of being politically motivated. Now this entire dispute has reached the Supreme Court of Israel, and the case is to be heard next week.
The Supreme Court will investigate whether the allegations against the parties and candidates are legal or not. The Supreme Court has already given relief to Arab parties and their leaders by canceling such ban imposed by the Election Commission. Therefore, the final decision on whether the names of these Arab parties and their leaders will be on the ballot paper on October 27 or not is now in the hands of the Supreme Court.
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