Arab Minority in Israel Must Unite for Political Power and Better Future
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
Raseem Muhi al-Din Khmaisi, a professor at the University of Haifa, calls for the Arab minority in Israel to unite politically to overcome challenges and build a better future. He advocates for the United Arab List's "Unified Project," which emphasizes shared values and cooperation over identity politics. Khmaisi urges community members to vote in upcoming elections to increase their parliamentary power and influence policy, aiming for economic and social growth.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Professor Raseem Muhi al-Din Khmaisi urges the Arab minority in Israel to unite politically for survival and future growth.
- He promotes the United Arab List's "Unified Project" based on Islamic values of cooperation and mutual respect.
- Khmaisi stresses the need to redefine citizenship on ethics, compassion, and respect for diversity in Israel.
- He warns that prioritizing ethnic or religious identity over shared values will lead to conflict.
- Voters are encouraged to support the United Arab List or allied parties in upcoming elections to gain political power.
- The project aims to foster cooperation and build bridges among diverse groups within Israeli society.
Raseem Muhi al-Din Khmaisi, a professor of urban planning at the University of Haifa and head of the Planning and Studies Center in Kafr Kanna, argues that the Arab minority in Israel must actively participate in the political process to secure their future and improve their standing. He contends that the current political climate has shifted the focus from seeking equality and peace to mere survival and the reduction of restrictions and aggression.
Khmaisi outlines the "Unified Project" proposed by the United Arab List (Ra'am), which he states goes beyond mere participation in the next government coalition. This project, he explains, is an applied, participatory initiative rooted in universal Islamic values of honesty, integrity, mercy, and mutual understanding. He believes this approach can help the Arab Palestinian community overcome ongoing aggression and build a foundation for the future.
The project emphasizes redefining citizenship within a modern state based on compassion and ethics, fostering cooperation, and building both soft and hard power to create a secure environment. Khmaisi suggests that participation in the government is a means to develop true citizenship and craft a narrative that embraces diversity and respect, drawing inspiration from the Charter of Medina.
He calls for a focus on commonalities rather than differences among various societal, religious, and cultural groups within Israel. Khmaisi warns that prioritizing ethnic or religious identity over shared values will lead to conflict. The Unified Project aims to foster cooperation and build bridges, drawing on religious principles of justice and shared words.
To achieve this, Khmaisi urges the Arab community to vote for the United Arab List or allied parties in the upcoming elections to gain significant parliamentary representation. He advocates for a shift in discourse towards positive engagement and cooperation with diverse democratic forces in Israel. The goal is to create a program of action that promotes justice, equality, and respect for diversity, ultimately leading to economic, social, and cultural growth for the Arab community in Israel.
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