Arab service plan could reshape Israel’s anti-Netanyahu bloc

A new debate over burden sharing, which has largely been focused on Jewish Israelis since October 7, is now being pushed into the Arab sector by an unexpected political move. The article says that a service plan presented by Gadi Eisenkot’s camp, together with new statements by Mansour Abbas, could open the door to an Arab partnership in a future coalition and give the so-called change bloc a path back to government. But implementation is fraught with distrust, political gaps and fears inside Ra'am that rivals will try to sabotage the effort from within.

Eisenkot’s party, Yashar!, unveiled a broad plan for Arab society centered on fighting crime and violence and expanding national civilian service for Arab young men and women. The proposal calls for a national anti-crime cabinet led by the elected prime minister, stronger police, prosecutors and courts, and tougher action against organized crime, especially protection rackets. The core element is widening civilian service so Arab youth can work in state institutions. Party officials said the plan would not be imposed but built in cooperation with Arab leadership, and they want to advance it before the elections.

Abbas delivered a similar message at the MUNI EXPO local government conference in Tel Aviv, saying, “In the next government we will formulate a burden-sharing plan that meets the needs of Arab society and integrates young Arab men and women into frameworks of volunteering and contribution to Israeli society, without populist slogans and through dialogue with the leadership of Arab society and the government leadership.” Ra'am sources said the remarks were coordinated with the party’s top leadership.

The article notes deep long-running disagreement in Arab society over national service. Many Arabs want to contribute, but years of discrimination, exclusion and fear of racism have created suspicion toward state institutions, and the fact that civilian service is currently tied to security bodies makes it controversial. Abbas still wants a serious plan by the elections, one that would include official Arab bodies such as the Arab local authorities forum and the Higher Monitoring Committee. Ra'am fears the committee’s current head, former Balad leader Jamal Zahalka, could block the initiative. Even so, Arab leaders say simply discussing the issue may already be opening a new political chapter, and they hope it could help make Arab coalition participation acceptable to the anti-Netanyahu camp.