Democrats seek to bar Otzma Yehudit from election as polls show continued deadlock

Left-wing political factions in Israel have filed a petition to disqualify the Otzma Yehudit party from participating in the upcoming national election. The petitioners allege that the slate, led by Itamar Ben Gvir, promotes racism and undermines democratic state institutions. This legal challenge occurs against a backdrop of persistent political deadlock, with recent polling indicating that neither the incumbent coalition nor the opposition bloc is currently projected to secure the 61-seat majority required to form a government.

As the electoral impasse continues, political maneuvering has intensified. Reports indicate that the number two candidate from the Yashar party has suggested the possibility of forming a coalition involving Bezalel Smotrich’s faction and a post-Netanyahu Likud party. These developments highlight the ongoing instability and the complex negotiations shaping the pre-election landscape.