The electoral threshold for parties wishing to enter the Knesset will be raised from 2 percent to 3.25 percent, according to an agreement between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Ivette “Avigdor” Lieberman. While the original bill called for the threshold to be increased to 4 percent, Lieberman agreed to compromise so as to appease Netanyahu and, particularly, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who opposes the bill.

Hadash demonstration in Tel-Aviv against anti-democratic laws (Photo: Al Ittihad)

MK Dov Khenin (Hadash), vehemently criticized the impending anti-democratic move. “This strange number, 3.25 percent, is aimed specifically at preventing the election to the Knesset of parties whose support comes from the Arab population,” Khenin said. Insisting that the Arab parties unite, he said, “is a dangerous train of thought. It denies the Arabs the right to pluralism and will leave them with only one option in the elections.”

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