TPS: Golans Democrats Seek to Bar Ben Gvirs Otzma Yehudit from Knesset Race
Yair Golan's Democrats party has petitioned Israel's Central Elections Committee to bar Itamar Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit from the Knesset race.
Jerusalem, 14 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Yair Golan’s Democrats party filed a petition Monday with Israel’s Central Elections Committee seeking to disqualify Otzma Yehudit and eight of its candidates from the October 27 Knesset election, citing denial of Israel’s democratic character and incitement to racism.
The petition, filed by party legal adviser Omri Sagiv, names National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and MK Tally Gotliv specifically, citing Ben Gvir’s past convictions for supporting a terrorist organization and racist incitement, along with allegations that he defied Supreme Court rulings as minister.
It also cites Gotliv’s indictment over an alleged security breach involving a Shin Bet officer’s identity.
Democrats CEO Omer Lubaton Granot said the party would not let “anti-democratic forces” exploit state power to undermine it.
Otzma Yehudit called the Democrats “an antisemitic, anti-Israel party” and accused it of backing an “incitement film” against the IDF.