The above controversial Supreme Court decisions provoked strong and varied reactions across the political spectrum. Samples:
MK Benny Elon (National Union): "The disqualification of Feiglin is a stain on Israeli democracy... Approval of Tibi and Bishara shows contempt for [Israel's] legislators by a political Supreme Court that spits in the face of the majority of the public." Elon and Feiglin were both active in the Zo Artzeinu ("This is Our Land") movement in the mid-'90's, protesting the Oslo accords and the Rabin government's decisions to withdraw from Arab-populated areas in Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza) and transfer weapons and armaments to the newly established Palestinian Authority. Unlike Feiglin, charges filed against Elon for "rebellious" behavior were subsequently dropped.
National Religious Party leader MK Effie Eitam: "The Supreme Court has, sadly, made a decision preventing the establishment of an alternative leadership for Israeli-Arabs that could act as a brake on the process of radicalization taking place among them. The decision also shuts out the heart of public opinion in Israel, which in the middle of a war is forced to hear words of praise and encouragement for terror - ironically, by members of the Knesset."
National Union leader MK Avigdor Lieberman: "The Supreme Court has shown itself again to be an elitist body that holds the legislature in contempt and ignores the will of the public... The National Union will work in the 16th Knesset for the speedy establishment of a constitutional court."
MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union): "Bishara and his friends can now, without any hindrance, encourage terror and incitement against the State, all with the approval of the judges of the High Court. The National Union will take measures to restrict the authority of the court..."
Labor Party Secretary-General MK Ophir Pines attacked the decision to allow Baruch Marzel to run for the Knesset, which, he said, could open the door to "racism in the Israeli legislature... The State is liable to pay a heavy price [for the decision regarding] Marzel, a dangerous man, who's continuing the path of Rabbi Kahane."
Anti-religious Shinui Party leader MK Tommy Lapid said he was happy that the High Court "ended the embarrassing carnival surrounding requests for disqualifying Knesset candidates." He added that such decisions should be taken away from the Elections Commission and handed over directly to the Supreme Court.
MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) said that despite the approval of Marzel, "the Supreme Court's decision was "good and appropriate... Between allowing radicals to run for Knesset and precluding their representation, the former choice is preferable. It's better to have Bishara and Marzel fight and argue in the Knesset, than to encourage underground, anti-democratic forces outside the Knesset."
MK Benny Elon (National Union): "The disqualification of Feiglin is a stain on Israeli democracy... Approval of Tibi and Bishara shows contempt for [Israel's] legislators by a political Supreme Court that spits in the face of the majority of the public." Elon and Feiglin were both active in the Zo Artzeinu ("This is Our Land") movement in the mid-'90's, protesting the Oslo accords and the Rabin government's decisions to withdraw from Arab-populated areas in Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza) and transfer weapons and armaments to the newly established Palestinian Authority. Unlike Feiglin, charges filed against Elon for "rebellious" behavior were subsequently dropped.
National Religious Party leader MK Effie Eitam: "The Supreme Court has, sadly, made a decision preventing the establishment of an alternative leadership for Israeli-Arabs that could act as a brake on the process of radicalization taking place among them. The decision also shuts out the heart of public opinion in Israel, which in the middle of a war is forced to hear words of praise and encouragement for terror - ironically, by members of the Knesset."
National Union leader MK Avigdor Lieberman: "The Supreme Court has shown itself again to be an elitist body that holds the legislature in contempt and ignores the will of the public... The National Union will work in the 16th Knesset for the speedy establishment of a constitutional court."
MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union): "Bishara and his friends can now, without any hindrance, encourage terror and incitement against the State, all with the approval of the judges of the High Court. The National Union will take measures to restrict the authority of the court..."
Labor Party Secretary-General MK Ophir Pines attacked the decision to allow Baruch Marzel to run for the Knesset, which, he said, could open the door to "racism in the Israeli legislature... The State is liable to pay a heavy price [for the decision regarding] Marzel, a dangerous man, who's continuing the path of Rabbi Kahane."
Anti-religious Shinui Party leader MK Tommy Lapid said he was happy that the High Court "ended the embarrassing carnival surrounding requests for disqualifying Knesset candidates." He added that such decisions should be taken away from the Elections Commission and handed over directly to the Supreme Court.
MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) said that despite the approval of Marzel, "the Supreme Court's decision was "good and appropriate... Between allowing radicals to run for Knesset and precluding their representation, the former choice is preferable. It's better to have Bishara and Marzel fight and argue in the Knesset, than to encourage underground, anti-democratic forces outside the Knesset."