Arab Parties Sign Vote Surplus Deal, Pledge Fair Election Campaign

The Joint List and the United Arab List have signed a vote surplus agreement and pledged to conduct a fair and clean election campaign. The deal, signed on Friday, aims to prevent the waste of Arab votes and regulate electoral competition between the two factions.

The agreement was reached through direct talks between the leaderships of both lists, with the involvement of the National Accord Committee. Signing on behalf of the Joint List was its agent Amjad Shbeita, and for the United Arab List, lawyer Yahya Dahamsha. The signing ceremony was attended by the head of the National Accord Committee, Mohammed Ali Taha, its spokesperson Professor Mustafa Kabha, and Youssef Tator from the Joint List.

According to the agreement's text, the understanding was reached "out of a sense of responsibility" to increase voter turnout in the 26th Knesset elections, achieve the goal of ousting the right-wing government, and maintain civil peace and social cohesion within the Arab community.

The pact obligates both parties to compete without accusations, slander, defamation, or fabrication. It also calls on their cadres and supporters to adhere to proper discussion and dialogue, despite ongoing political disagreements and differing stances.

The pledge extends to all electoral statements, debates, and media platforms, urging journalists to act responsibly in covering the competition. The agreement also stipulates submitting an official document regarding vote surplus to the Central Elections Committee after the committee approves the submitted electoral lists.