Israeli Arab Party Leader Vows to Block Netanyahu's Return

Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi, ranked second in the Joint List party, declared on Sunday, October 18, that his party would back efforts to remove the current Speaker of Parliament immediately after elections and prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from continuing as caretaker prime minister. Tibi announced support for a "recused person law," proposed by Avigdor Lieberman, which would bar Netanyahu from serving as prime minister. The constitutionality of such a law is uncertain.

Tibi stated that the Joint List is prepared to offer "insurance support" for an alternative government, a stance previously announced by party chairman Yousef Jabareen. Speaking in Arabic, Tibi outlined the party's demands: "adoption of the party's program for eradicating violence and crime, cessation of house demolitions, and striving for a political settlement." He emphasized that their conditions prioritize protecting their society, explaining that while they understand a new government won't fulfill all their aspirations, they are choosing between "bad and worse" and will seek common ground that serves their society's interests without compromising fundamental principles.

Tibi recalled a 1990s bloc of MKs that influenced government formation and stated the Joint List now offers "insurance support" in exchange for commitments. He stressed that any party seeking their support must guarantee the protection of their society. Specific demands include not voting for settlements, rejecting a "nation-state law," opposing "genocide and expulsion," protesting raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque, opposing laws hindering family reunification, and ensuring budget allocations for Arab society are not misappropriated.

Furthermore, Tibi vowed that the Joint List would move to oust Speaker within the first days of the next Knesset session, accusing him of turning parliament into an arena for racism. He confirmed the Joint List would vote for the opposition's candidate for speaker, securing a majority to remove the Speaker of Parliament and advance legislation beneficial to their society, including the "recused person law" to block Netanyahu. The party also seeks representation on the Knesset's finance committee before any government is formed or coalition is established.

Tibi commented on opinion polls and the opposition bloc's stance, noting that opposition leaders, including Lieberman, Gadi Eisenkot, and Naftali Bennett, have ruled out including Arab parties in a government or coalition. He sees this as reinforcing the Joint List's strategy. He highlighted that current polls show neither the right-wing bloc (54 seats) nor the opposition bloc (51-52 seats) reaching the 61-seat majority needed to form a government, positioning the Joint List as a decisive force.

Tibi asserted that Netanyahu knows he cannot form a government but aims to prevent the opposition from doing so, leading to a stalemate where Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister. He urged voters that their support for the Joint List is crucial to prevent this and ensure their demands are met. Jabareen had previously stated that forming an alternative government without negotiating with the Joint List is impossible, but they would not grant a blank check, requiring negotiations on their society's demands. The article notes that most anti-Netanyahu bloc parties have rejected cooperation with Arab parties, including Ra'am led by Mansour Abbas.