Israel advances bill to block Arab candidates from local elections

The Israeli Knesset yesterday approved in its preliminary reading a bill that makes it easier to disqualify Arab citizens of Israel from running in municipal elections.

The amendment to the basic law was supported by 51 members of the Knesset and opposed by 11 and stipulates the possibility of excluding candidates who show “isolated support of acts carried out by a lone attacker and not just those by a group or enemy state” against the state of Israel. The bill expands the scope of “support” to include visiting the family of an attack suspect.

According to the bill, advanced by Likud MK Ofir Katz, a candidate can be banned by the Central Election Committee without approval from the High Court of Justice, as is currently the case.

The bill has prompted fear that it will further restrict Palestinian citizens of Israel from participating in politics.

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