A recent electoral reform law in Israel, which was supposed to make it more difficult for fringe parties to win seats in the Knesset, has not deterred many of them form trying.
So far, 50 slates of candidates have been registered to run in the June elections, only 10 of which represent existing political parties.
The 40 new lists included one headed by Samuel Flatto-Sharon, a fugitive from justice in France who served one Knesset term 10 years ago and was later charged with election fraud.
Other first-time entries include an environmentalist Green Party, a Blue Party supporting direct democracy, a Revolution Party advocating “a national redemption emergency regime” and two Arab Christian parties.
By May 19 each must present the election board with the signatures of at least 1,500 supporters to get on the ballot plus a 23,000 shekel check (about $9,600), which is not refundable if the party fails to secure a single Knesset seat.
Under the new electoral reform law, parties must win 1.5 percent of the total vote in order to be guaranteed a Knesset seat. Previously the threshold was 1 percent of the vote.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
