Arab Parties Urged to Earn Arab Voters' Trust Through Strategy and Action

An opinion piece argues that Arab political parties in Israel can no longer take Arab voters for granted, asserting that voters are now actively questioning, comparing, and holding parties accountable. The author, Nayef Kheir, contends that instead of blaming voters for turning to "Zionist" parties or abstaining from voting, parties must introspect about why they have lost public trust. Kheir emphasizes the need for tangible solutions to pressing issues like crime, housing, education, and employment, rather than relying on recurring slogans and seasonal rhetoric.

The article criticizes the cyclical nature of political engagement, where parties engage with voters only during election periods and then disappear, leaving citizens to face their daily struggles alone. It calls for a shift towards transparency, clear objectives, and accountability, where parties present their goals, methods, and results, and are prepared to explain failures. The author stresses that while national identity and causes are important, they do not solve practical problems like housing shortages or crime.

Kheir advocates for a political approach that integrates national identity with practical interests, combining advocacy for rights with daily achievements. He urges Arab parties to recognize that voters are not beholden to any party and that their votes must be earned through hard work, transparency, clear programs, and demonstrable results. The piece concludes by calling for a unified Arab strategy on major issues, urging parties to collaborate on long-term plans and present a clear vision to avoid dissipating the Arab community's political power.