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The Israeli Knesset has advanced a controversial bill aimed at facilitating the disqualification of Arab citizens from running in municipal elections. The amendment to Israel’s Basic Law passed its preliminary reading yesterday with 51 votes in favour and 11 opposed, raising concerns over its potential impact on the political participation of Palestinian citizens of Israel.
The bill, proposed by Likud MK Ofir Katz, expands the criteria for disqualifying candidates to include expressions of isolated support for acts carried out by individuals against the state of Israel, not just those linked to enemy states or groups. This definition could extend to actions such as visiting the family of a suspected attacker.
Under the proposed legislation, the Central Election Committee would have the authority to disqualify candidates without requiring approval from the High Court of Justice, a move critics argue could undermine judicial oversight.
The proposal has sparked fears among rights groups and Arab communities in Israel that it further marginalises Palestinian citizens and limits their participation in the democratic process. Arab leaders have warned that the bill is part of a broader effort to curtail their political rights in Israel.
If enacted, the bill is expected to face legal challenges and heightened scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
