Arab Vote Key to Political Change in Israel, Says Professor
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Professor Assad Ghanem stated that Arab participation in Israeli elections is vital for political change, urging unity among Arab parties to maximize their influence. He believes a unified Arab vote can be a key factor in shaping the next Israeli government and addressing the community's internal crises. Ghanem emphasized the need for broader societal organization beyond elections and called for active voter mobilization to ensure higher turnout. He also highlighted the importance of partnerships with supportive Jewish groups based on equality and an end to the conflict.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Professor Assad Ghanem believes the Arab vote is key to achieving political change in Israel.
- He urged Arab parties to unite into a single list to increase parliamentary power and influence.
- Ghanem stressed the need for Arab community organization and active voter turnout on election day.
- He called for partnerships with Jewish groups based on equality and an end to the war.
- Strengthening Arab parties is seen as more important than voting for Israeli left-wing parties.
Professor Assad Ghanem believes that Arab citizens' participation in the upcoming Israeli elections is a crucial opportunity to enhance their political presence and influence the Israeli political landscape. He argued that Arab abstention from voting allows the Israeli right to gain more ground without a significant counterforce. Speaking on the "New Day" program on Radio Al-Shams, Ghanem noted that past experiences have shown the possibility of limited political change, emphasizing that the current goal should be the start of broader transformation, not just replacing the existing government.
Ghanem expressed a preference for Arab parties to contest the elections on a unified list, stating that this would have strengthened their parliamentary power and influence in coalition negotiations. He urged Arab parties to overcome internal disputes and form a united national front, highlighting that the challenge extends beyond election day to organizing the Arab community and bolstering its capacity to confront policies targeting its status and rights. He warned that fragmented Arab votes could lead to the loss of parliamentary seats that might have been decisive in power balances, suggesting that unity offers a greater chance to influence the future Israeli government.
He stressed that political change should not end with the current government's ouster but must be accompanied by broader societal movements focused on internal organization and building civil power. Ghanem pointed to multiple crises facing the Arab community, including violence and internal issues, alongside external challenges and policies he claims target their existence. He asserted that establishing an organized political and social force is now essential.
Ghanem also underscored the importance of building relationships with Jewish groups that support equality and change, but insisted that any genuine political partnership must be based on fundamental agreements, including equal citizenship, an end to displacement policies, and a halt to the war on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. He cautioned against relying solely on opinion polls, stressing that the real test is voter turnout on election day. He urged Arab parties and leaders to actively encourage citizens to vote, rather than depending on predictions, as increased turnout could enhance the influence of Arab lists.
Regarding voting for Arab versus Jewish parties, Ghanem stated that while voting for Israeli left-wing parties is not forbidden, strengthening Arab parties is more important at this stage for the Arab community to build political power and address internal issues. He believes Arab parties have shown readiness to work for political change and that the Arab vote could be key to influencing the next government's composition while simultaneously empowering the Arab community to tackle its crises.
