Yoni Called It Again
Arab parties win disqualification appealHigh Court overturns Central Elections Committee's decision to bar Balad, United Arab List-Ta'al form participating in nearing elections
Aviad GlickmanThe High Court of Justice overturned the Central Elections Committee's decision to disqualify the Arab parties, Balad and United Arab List-Ta'al from taking part in the next Knesset race.
The Central Elections Committee explained its decision by saying that since neither party recognized Israel as the Jewish homeland; they were not eligible to bid in the nearing general elections.
Twenty-six of the committee's members were in favor of barring Balad from the elections, while 21 supported the decision to ban United Arab List-Ta'al.
Adalah, the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, appealed the decision with the High Court of Justice, on behalf of both parties.
Wednesday's appeal was heard before a nine-judge panel, as required by law: The petition filed by United Arab List-Ta'al on its disqualification was granted unanimously; while Balad's appeal was granted by a majority of eight, with Justice Edmond Levy objecting.
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, who was asked to prepare a brief on the matter for the court, said Monday that he saw no grounds to prevent the Arab parties from taking part in the elections.
Mazuz' further noted that the decision to disqualify the Arab parties was based on "flimsy evidence."
Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) welcomed the decision: "We have beaten fascism. This fight is over but the battle is not. Racism has become a trend in Israel… the court's decision has righted a wrong by Kadima and Labor."
Balad Chairman, MK Jamal Zahalka reiterated the sentiment: "This decision is a blow to Lieberman and the fascist Right, as well as to Kadima, the Likud and Labor, which stood by the disqualification.
"Balad stands by its platform. The court's decision is a victory to the Arab public and to anyone who seeks democracy… we call on everyone to back the notion of 'a people state' and a life of equality bar discrimination."
Democracy verse the status of a Jewish State.
I have no problem with Arabs being in the Knesset since our founding fathers allowed Arabs living inside the borders of Israel to be citizens, and we must stand with that decision. But with citizenship in Israel their must come restrictions since we are a nation that has been at war since before we were a nation.
I don't care if you are a Jew or an Arab if you call for the destruction of the State of Israel, you should not be allowed in the Knesset.
Remember I called this when the Knesset banned these two parties, both of which call for the destruction of Israel, that the High Court would over turn the will of the Knesset.
