Balad Chairman Jamal Zahalka
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Central Elections Committee set to disqualify Balad
Arab party may find itself out of next Knesset race as majority of Central Elections Committee members are expected to vote in favor of declaring it ineligible to bid. 'Democracy has given in to fascism' says party chairman
The Central Elections Committee is expected to disqualify the Arab party Balad for the nearing Knesset race, Ynet learned Sunday.
The committee, which is made up of representatives of all various parties, is expected to hold a vote on the matter on Monday. A previous motion to disqualify Balad was quashed by the High Court of Justice.
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Three separate motions to stop Balad from bidding in the nearing general elections have been filed with the Central Elections Committee over the past several weeks.
The petitioners, The Jewish Home Party, Yisrael Beiteinu and Itay Furman, a former member of Shinui Party, all claim that Balad must be disqualified on grounds that it does not recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland, and that it advocates an armed conflict against it.
On the eve of the vote, 26 of the committee members appear to be in favor of disqualifying Balad, including eight Kadima members. Balad Chairman Jamal Zahalka said Kadima's decision was "politically motivated," adding that "the Israeli democracy has given in to fascism."
'Atmosphere of incitement'
Balad was disqualified from the Knesset race in 2003 – a decision overturned by the High Court of Justice. Balad members had hoped the committee would deny the request, seeing as "early discussions with Kadima assured us that they would not support the move," said Zahalka.
"We were under the impression that Kadima would realize that aligning with (Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor) Lieberman would be wrong, but lately we have been having trouble distinguishing between Lieberman's transfer and Livni's transfer.
"The whole debate is being held under an atmosphere of war and incitement. This is a political decision made by a committee wishing to score points at the expense of the Arab public."
Balad's response to the motions was a detailed brief filed with the committee, in which the party said that is stands by its platform. For now, it seems that 11 committee members, including those form the Arab parties, Meretz and Labor will vote against disqualification.
Kadima confirmed that it would support the motions: "The power of democracy lies not only in giving minorities their due representation, but in its obligation to defend itself against those wishing to use its freedoms to destroy it.
"Balad," added the party's statement, "is trying to undermine Israel's identity as a Jewish state…which contradicts the Declaration of Independence. Moreover, Balad still reveres (former Chairman) Azmi Bishara, who partnered and still works with Israel's worst enemies."
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report
