Arab Israeli Lawmaker Outlines Post-Election Parliamentary Maneuvers

Arab Israeli lawmaker Ahmed Tibi, chairman of the Hadash-Ta'al party, revealed potential parliamentary strategies his party and others representing Arab citizens might pursue immediately after the upcoming elections, even before a new government is formed. Speaking on the program 'Meet the Press,' Tibi stated that if a parliamentary majority opposing the current government emerges, Arab parties could initiate significant legislative actions.

Tibi dismissed claims that the increased strength of Arab parties hinders the "change bloc" from achieving a majority, attributing potential difficulties to internal disputes within the bloc. He highlighted the unification of three parties into the Joint List and noted an expected rise in Arab voter turnout to 60%. "The problem is the Jews, not the Arabs," he asserted, referring to infighting within the "change bloc" over leadership.

He indicated that without a strong showing from the Arab parties, changing the current political reality would be impossible, citing polls that suggest a close race. Tibi suggested that the Arab parties would not seek the premiership but would pursue "a range of steps" immediately after the election to alter the situation. One such step he proposed was replacing the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, with a candidate from the opposition, emphasizing the significant political power this would grant.

Tibi also alluded to the possibility of recommending a prime ministerial candidate to the President, suggesting the Arab parties might take "more than that" action, referencing a past instance where their recommendation influenced government formation.

The Likud party responded by calling Tibi's statements a "media bomb," accusing him of revealing a plan by opposition figures like Benny Gantz, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan to form a "left-wing government with Arab parties." They framed it as handing the "keys of the state" to Tibi and Mansour Abbas. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana echoed this sentiment, suggesting Tibi's remarks stemmed from personal disappointment and were part of a plan to replace him and form a minority government supported by Arab parties, urging the public to prevent this.