Shin Bet Involvement in Political Party Registration
- ACRI
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
ACRI filed a motion on July 1, 2026 to join as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in proceedings before the Supreme Court concerning the decision of the Registrar of Political Parties not to register the party “Complete and Strong Jewish Israel.” This decision was based primarily on classified material provided by the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). ACRI’s request to join the case as an amicus curiae is not about the party itself or whether it should be eligible to be registered. Instead, ACRI is asking the Court to determine that a party cannot be denied the right to participate in the democratic process on the basis of classified information from the Shin Bet.
In its motion, ACRI emphasizes that the right to join a political party, the right to vote and be elected, and freedom of political expression are among the cornerstones of any democracy. Consequently, any decision that infringes on these rights must be based on disclosed evidence that can be examined, challenged, and defended against. A democracy protects itself from threats to its institutions through transparent legal systems and fair proceedings, not through classified evidence from a security service. ACRI is asking the Court to rule that decisions concerning the registration of political parties or the denial of the right to run in elections can only be based on open evidence, such as a party’s objectives, its public activities, and public statements made by its representatives.
The Shin Bet holds extensive and significant powers, and can operate in secrecy, with limited oversight. Legitimizing the use of classified Shin Bet information in determining whether or not to register political parties could create dangerous precedents in expanding the involvement of a secret security agency in shaping the political arena and determining who may or may not participate in elections. The establishment of these precedents are unlikely to remain confined to the present case and could, in the future, be used against additional parties, candidates, and groups, particularly those representing minority populations, undermining equal opportunity in elections and public trust in the democratic process.
A.M. 18462-06-26 Registrar of Political Parties v. Hasson
Motion to join the proceedings as amicus curiae. Attorney: Oded Feller
Motion to join the proceedings as amicus curiae, July 1, 2026 (Heb)
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