By Fatma Younis
Arab parties in Israel have signaled a historic willingness to cooperate with Jewish-led factions to end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long tenure, but deep ideological divides and stringent conditions threaten to derail any alliance.
Joint List Willing to Back Anti-Netanyahu Government
Ahmad Tibi, a senior lawmaker in the Arab Joint List, told The Associated Press that his bloc is prepared to break decades of precedent by supporting an anti-Netanyahu government without formally joining it. The move would give the Joint List significant influence while avoiding direct responsibility for policies it opposes, such as ongoing wars and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
Ideological Divides Complicate Alliance
The Joint List, a coalition of left-wing and nationalist parties, rejects Israel's identity as a Jewish state and advocates for a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Many Jewish Israelis view the alliance with suspicion, a sentiment Netanyahu has amplified by portraying Arab-led parties as a national security threat.
Election Results Make Arab Parties Kingmakers
In the recent election, the anti-Netanyahu bloc led by former general Gadi Eisenkot won 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Netanyahu's coalition secured 53. The Joint List captured 11 seats and the more conciliatory Ra'am party won 8, making their support essential for any alternative majority. The Joint List could enable a government by voting for it or abstaining to lower the threshold needed for a majority.
Conditions for Partnership Remain Unclear
Eisenkot has demanded that Arab-led parties designate Hamas as a terrorist group and call for its destruction as a condition for partnership. Tibi argues those conditions do not apply to parties offering outside support. Both the Joint List and Ra'am condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and violence against civilians, but they refuse to label Hamas a terrorist organization, saying doing so would legitimize Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
Tibi Sees Shift in Political Narrative
Tibi noted that Netanyahu's past election slogan "Bibi or Tibi" — warning voters that opposing him meant relying on Arab parties — has been upended by record Arab voter turnout. He said a "repair government" could improve the lives of Palestinian citizens by ending Netanyahu's rule and addressing issues such as violent crime in Arab communities.
