Israeli government shelves plans to block terror convicts from running for Knesset: Report

The Israeli government has shelved plans to pass legislation that would prevent terror convicts from running for the Knesset over concerns that it would impact far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's Kan public broadcaster reports.

Kan says that Likud MK Nissim Vaturi proposed the legislation on Sunday, which aims at preventing anyone who has ever been involved in terrorist activity from running from a Knesset seat, regardless of the severity of the crime.

Legal advisers reportedly noted that the law would include Jewish Israelis accused of such crimes, and an aide to Ben Gvir realised this might impact the far-right leader, who in 2008 was convicted by the Jerusalem District Court of incitement to racism and supporting a terror organisation.

The aide reportedly proposed postponing the legislation for a few months, which Justice Minister Yariv Levin agreed to, despite supporting the law.