The Israeli Parliament has banned two Arab parties from its forthcoming elections. The two parties hold seven seats in the 120-member Knesset.
The floor almost erupted in fisticuffs as Parliament approved the ban. It was the first ban on a political party since the 1980 banning of Rabbi Meir Kahane’s Kach’s party.
The ruling does not affect Arabs who are members of other parties, such as the communist party or predominately Jewish parties.
The Arab delegates walked out of parliament shouting, “This is a fascist, racist state.”
The parties were banned on charges of “incitement, supporting terrorist groups and refusing to recognize Israel’s right to exist.”
The ruling Kadima party, with other right-wing supporters, voted for the ban. Labour was split, initially opposing the ban, but eventually supporting it.
However, not all members of Labour supported that position.
“[MK] Shelly Yachimovich and I thought we must object to the move to ban the Arab lists for reasons of freedom of expression,” said Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog. “The minority’s right to be heard must be preserved,” he said.
All sides said they will proceed to the Supreme Court with the banning. Many observers believe that the vote will be overturned and Arab parties will be allowed to participate in the elections.
Arabs make up about 20% of the Israeli population.
