[107723] Storm in the 'The Democrats' party: Mossi Raz and Avi Dabush disqualified from running for Meretz slots

Political drama in 'The Democrats' party

A political storm erupted yesterday in 'The Democrats' party after the party's election committee, headed by retired judge Yaakov Shamoni, decided to disqualify the candidacies of Mossi Raz and Avi Dabush for running for the slots reserved for Meretz members. According to a report on Political Arena, the committee justified its decision by stating that the two did not meet the bylaws conditions established to ensure representation in accordance with the merger agreement.

The disqualification is causing severe resentment among the blocked candidates. Former Knesset member Mossi Raz sharply attacked the decision on the Daniel Amram Uncensored Telegram channel, claiming it is an attempt "to erase 30 years of activity" of his in Meretz. Raz added in a quote also brought in War Room and News 360: "The election committee is trying to erase 30 years of my activity in Meretz and is spitting in the face of tens of thousands of Meretz and The Democrats members."

Avi Dabush also expressed bewilderment at the decision, noting that he has been a Meretz member since 2014, served as a board member, and ran for the party leadership. Dabush claimed it is a "bizarre decision that turns technical arguments into political influence" (War Room). As a result of this decision, the two will be forced to run on the party's general national list and not within the framework of the designated Meretz slots, a move that is expected, according to Daphna Liel and Ziv Rubinstein, to increase Naor Narkis's chances of being elected.

In an official response published on Political Arena, 'The Democrats' party clarified that the election committee is an "independent and impartial body" acting in accordance with the party's bylaws, and that the committee deliberated on the requests of five different candidates who sought exemptions but did not meet the mandatory conditions.