Joint List Sets Four Demands for Supporting New Government
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The Joint List, led by Professor Yosef Jabareen, has presented four demands for supporting a future Israeli government, including combating crime in the Arab community, developing Arab towns, youth programs, and a Palestinian state within 1967 borders. Jabareen stated there would be no automatic support and negotiations are essential. He also urged opposition parties to commit to advancing a Palestinian state. Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich criticized the demands as dangerous.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Joint List Chairman Yosef Jabareen set four demands for supporting a future Israeli government.
- Demands include combating Arab crime, developing Arab towns, youth programs, and a Palestinian state.
- Jabareen stated the party will not offer automatic support to any bloc.
- The political demand is for a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
- Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich called the demands dangerous.
- Jabareen aims to increase Arab voter turnout for the upcoming elections.
The Chairman of the Joint List, Professor Yosef Jabareen, has outlined four key demands that must be met for his party to consider supporting a future Israeli government. Speaking on 103FM radio, Jabareen stated that the party will not automatically back any opposition bloc, emphasizing that negotiations are conditional on addressing their core issues. The demands include a comprehensive plan to combat crime within the Arab community, development initiatives for Arab towns, programs for Arab youth, and a political horizon for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
Jabareen specifically highlighted the fight against crime as the Joint List's top priority, calling for a substantial, budgeted program to tackle organized crime. He also stressed the need for development in Arab localities, including expanding municipal jurisdictions and halting home demolitions. Regarding youth programs, he noted that young Arabs constitute half the Arab population and require urgent attention in welfare and education, while also opposing any imposed national service arrangements that are not agreed upon by Arab leadership.
The political demand centers on the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, living in peace. Jabareen urged parties seeking to replace Prime Minister Netanyahu to commit to advancing this goal, suggesting that any alternative government must offer a political vision and hope for peace. He acknowledged that immediate establishment of a Palestinian state is unlikely but expects a shift in political direction.
Jabareen also discussed the Joint List's efforts to increase voter turnout in the Arab community, expressing optimism that this could lead to a double-digit number of mandates, even if current polls do not reflect this. He reiterated that any decision on recommending a prime minister or supporting a government would be made only after the elections, based on the results and subsequent negotiations.
Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich reacted critically to Jabareen's statements, calling the demand for a Palestinian state a "dangerous plan to establish a terrorist state in the heart of Israel." Smotrich suggested that such a scenario would be the outcome if the left were to gain power.
