The Central Elections Board is expected to respond affirmatively to the request by the Likud and Herut parties to disqualify at least one of the Arab parties, Balad and Hadash-Taal, from running in the upcoming election. Herut reported that it had submitted samples of statements by the MKs in question that prove their opposition to Israel as a Jewish state. Ahmed Tibi, who is running on the Hadash-Taal list, said in 1999, "We hold that the Jewish character of the State of Israel must be annulled." His party leader Muhammad Barakeh said in Nov. 2000 shortly after the outbreak of the Oslo War, "We welcome and admire this intifada, and we think this is the right response at the right time." A sample from MK Azmi Bishara (Balad): "Hizbullah won, and for the first time since 1967 we have tasted the taste of victory."
MK Michael Eitan (Likud) said this morning that Tibi "always says he is against terrorism, but then says that killing Yesha civilians and IDF soldiers is a part of 'legitimate struggle.'" Tibi said in response that he expects the Supreme Court to overturn his expected disqualification.
MK Michael Eitan (Likud) said this morning that Tibi "always says he is against terrorism, but then says that killing Yesha civilians and IDF soldiers is a part of 'legitimate struggle.'" Tibi said in response that he expects the Supreme Court to overturn his expected disqualification.