Arab Political Scientist Calls for Unified Front Against Candidate Disqualification

Professor Assaf Ghanem, a political science lecturer, has criticized the division among Arab political parties in Israel, attributing current developments to a failure to forge genuine joint political action prior to the submission of electoral lists. He suggested that the decision to form two separate lists was strategic, potentially involving coordination between the United Arab List and elements of the Israeli opposition, with Yoav Segalovich's involvement aimed at legitimizing the United Arab List's entry into a future governing coalition.

Ghanem stated that while opinion polls had predicted a higher combined seat count for Arab parties, the division into two lists resulted in the loss of approximately four seats. He views statements by Segalovich regarding the disqualification of Balad party leader Sami Abed al-Fattah as part of a broader strategy by the United Arab List to maintain political legitimacy and negotiate coalition entry post-election.

He expressed disappointment with the silence of United Arab List leaders and members regarding the disqualification issue and questioned the Arab public's response, urging a unified political stance against the disqualification of Arab candidates. Ghanem believes this disqualification is not merely about Knesset representation but an attack on Arab citizenship and collective standing with potentially historic repercussions.

Furthermore, Ghanem condemned incitement broadcast by Channel 14 against Arab citizens, particularly medical professionals, deeming the Arab community's reaction insufficient. He characterized Israeli society as entering a phase of escalating far-right extremism and racism, noting a bolder racist discourse than in previous periods. He sees current international criticism of Israel and its perceived growing international isolation as an opportunity for the Arab community to organize more effectively, leveraging its human resources, including academics and multilingual youth, for both local and international advocacy.

Ghanem called for the organization of various professional sectors within the Arab community, such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, and farmers, lamenting the lack of practical steps despite decades of discussion. He emphasized that the current struggle is about preserving Arab citizenship and political status, asserting that the disqualification reflects a racist stance against the entire Arab public, not just parties aligned or opposed to the concept of a Jewish state. While supporting the joint list concept, he regretted the split but stressed the need to overcome differences and work collaboratively, calling the current stage one requiring planning and coordination over political infighting. He urged the Higher Follow-up Committee for Arab Citizens in Israel to play a more active role in organizing Arab political action and supporting Arab lists and candidates facing disqualification, concluding that the issue is existential, a matter of "to be or not to be."