Palestinian Authority Pressures Arab Parties to Unite Against Netanyahu in Joint List

Senior Palestinian Authority officials, including PA President Mahmoud Abbas, exerted significant pressure on leaders of the Arab parties Hadash, Ta’al, and Balad to reunite and reestablish the Joint List. According to Channel 12 News, the PA's message emphasized that uniting was essential to "topple Netanyahu," a key point in the negotiations leading to the Joint List's formation just over a week ago. The PA focused much effort on persuading Ta’al leader and Knesset member Ahmad Tibi to accept a compromise on the distribution of Knesset seats after talks had stalled.

During meetings in Ramallah with Arab party leaders, a senior PA official warned against repeating past mistakes that could allow Netanyahu to return to power, calling the unity a "historic opportunity for our people." Under the agreement, Hadash leader Yousef Jabareen will head the list, followed by Ahmad Tibi of Ta’al and Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh in third place. The three parties decided to proceed without the Ra’am party, led by Mansour Abbas, focusing primarily on increasing voter turnout among Arab citizens.

Following the announcement, Abu Shehadeh told Channel 12 that the alliance was delayed but based on a clear agenda and past cooperation. He stressed that Balad does not intend to serve as a "tool" for any prime ministerial candidate, stating they are building a democratic political alternative to protect their community, "not Netanyahu or Eisenkot." Joint List sources responded that the decision to form the alliance was made for the benefit of the Arab public and pledged to do everything possible to defeat Netanyahu, regardless of external pressures.