Today, 5:02 pm
Incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a demand by far-right MK Itamar Ben Gvir to pass legislation that will end a ban on individuals who incite to racism serving in the Knesset, Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit said Thursday.
According to the party, legislation will be introduced to remove the clause in Israel’s quasi-constitutional Basic Law: The Knesset stipulating that those inciting to racism will be disqualified from running for parliament.
That same clause was introduced by the Knesset in 1985 and successfully blocked the racist Kach party, led by extremist rabbi Meir Kahane of whom Ben Gvir is a disciple, from returning to parliament.
Otzma Yehudit said earlier reports that the changes will also include removing a clause disqualifying those who reject Israel as a Jewish and democratic state were incorrect.