Judges bar ‘racist’ Jewish candidate from running for Knesset; allow Arabs who reject Jewish state

Micha’el Ben Ari (middle) was banned from running for the Knesset by Israeli Supreme Court (Youtube screenshot)

If you want to know the difference between Israel and the Palestinian leadership, here it is: Israel bans racist Jews from running for the Knesset and allows racist Arabs. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas ARE racist and pay off terrorists with aid money.

This week Israel’s Supreme Court banned Micha’el ben Ari from running for the Knesset because of his “anti-Arab ideology and incitement”. Can you imagine Hamas or the Palestinian Authority or ANY MUSLIM MAJORITY NATION banning a Arab/Muslim candidate for his anti-Jewish/Israel ideology and incitement? No! In fact, in most places that is a prerequisite.

The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) chief Michael Ben Ari cannot seek a seat in the Knesset seat due to his his anti-Arab views. “Incitement to racism” is one of three actions that disqualify a candidate from running for the Knesset. Even Israel’s attorney general urged the court to bar Ben Ari, citing a long history of “severe and extreme” racism.

We reported a few weeks ago that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Jewish Power into a union of parties in order to sure up his right-wing base. Many Israelis lashed out at the union deploring the anti-Arab views of Jewish Power members.

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, Netanyahu’s main opponent, praised the Supreme Court ruling saying, “There are judges in Jerusalem who know how to set limits and make sure ethics and proper behavior are observed.”

Meanwhile Netanyahu’s allies pointed out the irony that the Supreme Court upheld the candidacy of racist Arab parties who challenge the definition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, while some also back armed opposition to Israel.

“Balad, a party that rejects Israel as a Jewish State, has no place in the Knesset, nor does whoever gives legitimacy to hurting IDF soldiers,” Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein noted.

These same justices that barred Ben Ari are allowing Ofer Kassif, the sole Jewish candidate on the Arab party Hadash-Ta’al slate, to run. Kassif was previously barred by the Central Elections Committee for controversial statements, including calling Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, “neo-Nazi scum.”