Arab Party Allies with Former Israeli Security Official

The Southern Islamic Movement in Israel, represented by the United Arab List (UAL), has formed a political alliance with former Yesh Atid Knesset member Yoav Segalovitz. This partnership, described by some as an "alliance of Zionism with Islamism," aims to combat crime and violence within the Arab community and foster Arab-Jewish cooperation.

Segalovitz, who has a background in the police and security services, including a stint as Deputy Minister of Internal Security, brings his expertise to the partnership. The UAL, which previously participated in the 2021-2022 "government of change" under Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, sees this alliance as a way to achieve tangible results for the Arab community by engaging with decision-making circles. Their previous participation in government secured promises for development plans, recognition of Bedouin villages, and addressing crime and violence.

The alliance focuses on specific issues such as dismantling crime organizations, curbing illegal weapons, improving police-local authority coordination, and ensuring political representation for Arab community demands within state institutions. While acknowledging the ideological differences and deep contradictions regarding Palestinian national identity and the nature of the state, the UAL views this as a pragmatic approach to political negotiation rather than a purely local or security matter.

However, the article cautions against over-reliance on Segalovitz as a sole solution, arguing that organized violence is also linked to government policies, poverty, unemployment, housing crises, and a lack of trust between the Arab community and the police. It suggests that institutional reform, including witness protection, tracking illegal financing, arms control, and police accountability, is necessary, along with a shift in the Israeli public's perception of Arab citizens.

The UAL's strategy is compared to other Islamic movements in the Arab world that have engaged in coalitions with secular forces, such as Ennahda in Tunisia and the Justice and Development Party in Morocco. The article notes that such participation is a political tool that succeeds when the movement maintains its independence, sets measurable goals, and uses its proximity to power to secure genuine rights for its community.

In the context of upcoming elections and the opposition's efforts to unseat the current government, this alliance is seen as a tactical move within the opposition camp. The question remains whether this alliance could provide the crucial "61st seat" needed to form a government, suggesting its strategic importance in electoral calculations for the UAL.