Arab Israeli Lawmaker Outlines Opposition Strategy Post-Election

Arab Israeli lawmaker Ahmed Tibi, chairman of the Ta'al party, outlined potential political moves by Arab parties following an election, should a majority opposing the current government emerge in the Knesset. Speaking on the "Meet the Press" program, Tibi stated that Arab parties would support a candidate for Knesset Speaker who opposes the government, even without a consensus on forming a new government. He dismissed claims that the strengthening of Arab parties hinders the "change bloc" from achieving a majority, highlighting the reunification of three parties into the Joint List and an expected increase in Arab voter turnout to 60%.

Tibi asserted that the primary divisions lie within the Zionist parties seeking to replace the government, pointing to disagreements over who would be prime minister. "The problem is the Jews, not the Arabs," he remarked. He emphasized that a strong Joint List, comprising two lists (the Joint List and Ra'am), is essential for changing the current situation, citing poll numbers suggesting such a bloc is necessary.

Furthermore, Tibi indicated that Arab parties might also move to replace the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, whom he criticized. "Do you think we will vote for Amir Ohana? Who turned the Knesset into a Kahane-like market?" Tibi questioned, before clarifying that they would support the opposing candidate for Speaker.

The Likud party responded sharply to Tibi's remarks, characterizing them as a "media bomb" that exposed a plan by Benny Gantz, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan to form a left-wing government with Arab parties. Likud claimed Tibi's statement confirmed that Arab parties are crucial for replacing the government and that they would immediately replace the Knesset Speaker after the election, effectively placing the country's keys in the hands of Tibi and Mansour Abbas.