Meretz USA deeply dismayed by disqualification of Arab parties in Israel

Meretz USA is deeply dismayed by the decision of the Israeli Central Elections Committee this week to disqualify two parties that represent many of the country's Arab citizens in Knesset. 

Should these twin decisions be upheld in court, the banning of Balad and the United Arab List/Arab Renewal Movement from competing in next month's elections would not only be a black mark on Israeli democracy, but a self-destructive act of utter folly that will drive an even sharper and more dangerous wedge between Israel's Jewish and Arab communities.

We therefore look with hope to Israel's High Court of Justice to remain a bastion of Israel's democratic tradition, and to overturn this abysmal decision.

As we recall from American history, wartime creates a breeding ground for suspicion and hostility towards minorities who are regarded as a fifth column for the enemy. In Israel, this atmosphere is naturally exploited by those political forces whose agenda is not to coexist with the country's Palestinian Arab minority, but to dominate it.

We note with pride, mixed with sadness, therefore, that alone among Israel's predominantly Jewish parties, only Meretz displayed the courage and principles to protest and vote against the two disqualifications.

We applaud the sensible and forthright words spoken this week by Meretz chairman, MK Haim Oron:

"One doesn't need to fully embrace the positions expressed by the Arab Knesset Members.  And it's even possible, as we do, to fundamentally disagree with them in a number of areas.  But whoever denies the Arab community in the State of Israel the basic civil, democratic right to run for election and to be represented in the Knesset is bringing us to an entirely different plane.  This is a decision that cannot be described other than as ‘racist'."