Professor Assesses Societal Shifts in Israel and Arab Community Post-October 7

Professor As'ad Ghanem, a political science researcher and lecturer, stated that the recent war has significantly impacted the Arab community, noting increased restrictions in public spaces like universities and hospitals, and harsher police treatment of youth. He clarified that these issues predated October 7 but were exacerbated by the conflict. Ghanem criticized the Arab community's failure to establish a cohesive political and societal organization capable of addressing these changes, pointing to the diminished influence of the Joint List and the lack of practical implementation of decisions made within follow-up frameworks.

He also observed profound transformations within Israeli society, asserting that the rightward shift began before October 7 but intensified afterward, leading to more pronounced extremism in institutions, including universities, which he described as increasingly stringent in their dealings with Arab students. Ghanem traced the roots of Israel's political and societal transformation to the post-Oslo Accords era, marked by the rise of the right and the decline of the political process, culminating in the ascent of more extremist forces. He reiterated that October 7 amplified, rather than initiated, this trend, resulting in a more hardline Israeli society with diminished concern for international public opinion.

Ghanem highlighted a paradox: the worst political situation for Palestinians coinciding with unprecedented global support for the Palestinian cause. He stressed that this international sympathy needs to translate into policy changes. Regarding upcoming Israeli elections, he suggested that a government change might not automatically bring about a radical shift in dealing with Arab citizens or the Palestinian issue, but could potentially create space for improving certain political conditions. He views elections as a crucial opportunity for Arab citizens to demonstrate political strength, without reducing all political action to electoral participation.

Ghanem emphasized that responsibility for change lies not only with Israeli society and governments but also with the Arab community to organize itself and build political and societal leverage. He called for reactivating the Follow-up Committee, popular committees, professional and student sectors, and enhancing the role of academics and students in confronting racism in universities. He insisted that political change is not automatic and that government turnover alone is insufficient; the Arab community must alter its methods and organization to influence the political reality. He also urged the Arab world to adopt clearer political stances on events in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, advocating for the use of Arab influence to exert international pressure on Israel, rather than military intervention.