Joint List Chairman: 'We Are Not in the Pocket of the Change Bloc'

Yosef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List party, stated Tuesday that his party is not aligned with the "change bloc" of opposition parties and does not consider itself to be in their "pocket." Speaking at the "People of the State" conference hosted by Ynet and Yediot Ahronot, Jabareen emphasized that the Joint List has its own demands centered on equality, peace, and social justice.

Jabareen indicated that after the upcoming elections, the change bloc, if it finds itself without other options, will need to cooperate with the Joint List. He stated that his party is prepared to enter negotiations and present its demands, asserting that genuine change requires negotiation on basic principles, not privileges. He also clarified that there are currently no direct communications with the leaders of the change bloc.

The primary focus of the Joint List, Jabareen explained, is to increase voter turnout among the Arab population, expressing optimism for unprecedented participation. He also stated that this would prevent Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, and Smotrich from continuing their rule after October 7th.

Jabareen reiterated that his party's top priority is to oust the current government, which he described as a "bloody government." He stated the Joint List is willing to provide a security net for a "real and substantive alternative" government, noting that no bloc currently holds a majority. He believes a strong Joint List can be a decisive factor in the political map, as suggested by recent polls, and that they possess the parliamentary tools to unseat the Netanyahu government, depending on the opposition's initiative.

He firmly ruled out any cooperation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party, stating their efforts are aimed at removing the current leadership. Jabareen criticized Ben-Gvir, accusing him of supporting terrorism, being convicted of terrorism, and inciting provocations. He contrasted the current government with a potential alternative, which he described as hope, based on recognizing the Palestinian right to self-determination. He stated the Joint List would not join a coalition that perpetuates war, occupation, or violence against Palestinians, and urged opposition leaders to offer genuine hope and new options to the public, which he feels they are currently failing to do.

Regarding the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization, Jabareen stated he does not use terms imposed by the right or the media, which he believes aim to delegitimize Arab public representatives. He condemned the October 7th attacks as atrocities that cannot be accepted, noting that his party, Hadash, denounced them immediately. He also criticized the right and center for not condemning the atrocities against civilians in Gaza after October 7th. Jabareen affirmed the Joint List's principled stance against harming civilians, regardless of their identity, and their support for peace and a Palestinian state living alongside Israel. He called for renewed negotiations with Palestinian leadership chosen by the Palestinian people.