By Basant El-Faramawy
Yoav Segalovitz, a Jewish former police investigator and self-described Zionist, will sit in Israel's Knesset as a member of Ra'am, an Arab-led Islamist party that won eight seats in the recent election.
Unlikely Alliance
Segalovitz left a centrist Jewish-led party to join Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, aiming to demonstrate that Jews and Arabs can build political coalitions across religious and racial divides. He emphasized their shared citizenship and the need for partnership to achieve progress.
Electoral Context
Arab-led parties secured an unprecedented 18 seats in the 120-member Knesset, potentially holding the balance of power in forming a government. However, Jewish-led opposition parties have hesitated to partner with them to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Reactions and Criticism
Right-wing critics accused Segalovitz of betraying Israel and enabling Islamic law, while some in the left-wing Joint List dismissed the move as a branding exercise. Netanyahu's camp attacked Ra'am, petitioning to disqualify it and spreading unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.
Conditions for Inclusion
Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot set conditions for Arab parties to join a coalition, including recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and declaring Hamas a terrorist organization. Abbas has acknowledged Israel as a Jewish state and condemned Hamas's Oct. 7 attack but avoided labeling Hamas a terrorist group, calling it a loyalty test.
Societal Impact
Palestinian citizens comprise over 20% of Israel's population, many feeling marginalized by underinvestment and far-right rhetoric. Segalovitz, 67, acknowledges disagreements with Abbas on issues like military service and LGBTQ rights but argues that breaking political barriers is paramount.
Voter Response
The partnership resonated with some Jewish voters, such as Irit Schenker from Caesarea, who said it convinced her to support Ra'am. Ra'am supporters also value Segalovitz's policing background, particularly his experience combating violence in Arab communities.
Government Aspirations
Segalovitz and Abbas seek to join the government, arguing that ignoring 21% of the population is unsustainable. On election night, Abbas declared that a majority of Israelis voted against Netanyahu and his allies, proving Arab-Jewish cooperation is possible.
Next Steps
The eight Ra'am lawmakers, including Segalovitz and Abbas, will be sworn in on Nov. 10. It remains unclear whether they will remain in opposition or enter a governing coalition in the coming weeks or months.
