Israel’s Central Elections Committee has voted to disqualify the two main Palestinian‑led lists from the upcoming election scheduled for early October.

The committee said the parties failed to meet legal requirements, but it did not disclose the specifics of the alleged breaches.

Israeli election committee meeting

The Joint List, which first contested elections in 2019, secured seven seats in the 2021 election. The decision removes Arab representation from the ballot, raising concerns about democratic inclusion.

The decision removes Arab representation from the ballot.

Arab voters, who account for around 20 per cent of the electorate, may face lower turnout as the parties that represent their interests are barred from the ballot. The move has drawn criticism from Palestinian leaders and international observers who view it as a setback for pluralism.

The ruling comes amid escalating tensions in the West Bank and Gaza, where the political divide remains sharp. Israeli politics are currently dominated by right‑wing parties that are poised to gain seats in the next election.

Both affected parties have said they will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, which will hear the case on Friday. The election remains on schedule, with voting set to take place on 9 October.

Should the ban stand, it could shift the balance of power in the Knesset and further isolate the Arab electorate, potentially destabilising an already fragile regional environment.