(L to R) Balad party leader Sami Abu Shehadeh, Ta’al party leader Ahmed Tibi, and Hadash party leader Ayman Odeh announce the launch of their campaign on February 20, 2021, in Nazareth, Israel’s largest Arab city. The three Arab parties have since broken up, with Hadash and Ta’al running together and Balad running on its own. (Photo by Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)
Should the Arab-Israeli Balad party be allowed to run in the Israeli elections?
Israel’s Central Elections Committee disqualified the Balad party from running in the election on the grounds that they reject Israel’s identity as a Jewish and democratic state. Should Balad be allowed to run? What are the boundaries of acceptable political positions in an election?