Sohlberg prevented bereaved families from entering the hearing on disqualifying Ra'am – and backed down

A confrontation erupted at the Central Elections Committee: Chairman Judge Noam Sohlberg initially barred bereaved parents from the 'Choosing Life' forum from entering the hearing on disqualifying Ra'am, despite them having submitted the disqualification request. After a direct confrontation with the families and pressure from MKs Amit Halevi and Ofir Katz, Sohlberg changed his position and allowed four representatives into the hall.

A tense confrontation took place today at the Central Elections Committee in the Knesset, when committee chairman Supreme Court Judge Noam Sohlberg initially prevented bereaved parents from the 'Choosing Life' forum from entering the hearing on disqualifying the Ra'am list. The family members, who themselves signed the disqualification request, remained outside the hall and confronted Sohlberg directly: "How can you prevent us from entering a hearing that we initiated and requested? You said there was no room, but there is." Following the intervention of MKs Amit Halevi and Ofir Katz, who demanded their immediate entry, Sohlberg changed his position and allowed four forum representatives into the hall. The incident occurred minutes before the hearing on disqualification petitions against Ra'am, filed by the forum along with Likud and Otzma Yehudit. This followed Sohlberg's September 18 decision to reject the forum's request for physical presence, citing space constraints and fear of "heated emotions." The families petitioned the High Court, which dismissed the petition and backed Sohlberg, but in practice the direct struggle led to a change in the decision.