The Knesset Building

Israel’s Central Elections Committee has voted to ban two Arab political parties from the upcoming Israeli elections in February. The population of Israel is actually 20% Arab and the country’s parliament, known as The Knesset, currently has 7 of its 120 seats held by the two Arab political parties subject to the ban, United Arab List and National Democratic Alliance (Balad). Two far right wing political parties proposed the ban before the Central Elections Committee and it was quickly endorsed and voted into action by all the the major political parties represented on the panel. United Arab List and Balad are currently challenging the decision before Israel’s highest court which is expected to rule on the issue by next week.

The source of contention here is the predictably strong opposition of the Arab parties to the current Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip. Both Balad and United Arab List have been fiercely vocal against the fighting and have even gone so far as to meet with leaders of Lebanon and Syria, which did little to endear them to their colleagues in The Knesset. However part of being a democracy is taking into account and respecting the views of the minority, even when they are diametrically opposed to your own regarding issues as serious as war and peace. Israel will be doing a grave disservice to its democratic ideals should the ban on the political parties be allowed to stand.

You can takepart in helping to bring peace back to the Middle East by checking out Bat Shalom, a feminist, progressive organization founded by Israeli and Palestinian women seeking to bring an end to this ongoing conflict.

LINKS:

Globe and Mail: Court to rule on decision banning Arab parties from election

Jerusalem Post: Balad, UAL to appeal ban in high court

Sydney Morning Herald: Two Arab parties banned from Israeli election